By: Ruth Yared
African View November 28, 2023
Violence against women and girls is one of the world’s most prevalent human rights violations, taking place every day, many times over, in every corner of the globe. It has serious short- and long-term physical, economic and psychological consequences on women and girls, preventing their full and equal participation in society.
The magnitude of its impact, both in the lives of individuals and families and society as a whole, is immeasurable. Conditions created by humanitarian, health and environmental crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and climate change have further intensified violence against women and girls, exacerbating existing challenges and generating new and emerging threats.
Women’s rights organizations are essential in tackling gender-based violence and driving progress toward a more equitable and violence-free world for women and girls. However, these efforts are met by a surge of anti-rights movements and backlash against women human rights defenders globally.
According to a UN study, these antagonists have made the outreach work more challenging and closer to impossible for women to seek help when they experience violence. Through education, training and community initiatives, women’s organizations are trying to build resilience and self-confidence among women, which can be key in breaking the cycle of violence.
UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said: “Behind every femicide statistic is the story of an individual woman or girl who has been failed. These deaths are preventable—the tools and the knowledge to do so already exist. Women’s rights organizations are already monitoring data and advocating for policy change and accountability. Now we need the concerted action across society that will fulfill women’s and girls’ right to feel and to be safe, at home, on the streets, and everywhere.”
The yearly 16 days campaign sparks hundreds of events around the world to accelerate efforts to end violence against women and girls. The global theme for this year’s UN Secretary-General UNITE campaign is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”, calling upon governments and partners to show their solidarity to women’s rights movements and activists and invites everyone to join the global movement.
Source: UN Women, Africa Union
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