16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence on Women and Girls

The campaign on the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence on Women and Girls is celebrated from the 25 of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to 10 December, Human Rights Day. The international campaign is aimed at eliminating all forms of violence instigated against women and girls.

This year, the theme for the campaign is Orange the World: #HearMeToo. This gives the opportunity to all survivors, activists, policy makers and partners to voice out the injustices instigated on women and girls. Globally, 35 per cent of women have experienced either physical or intimate sexual violence or sexual violence by a non-partner excluding sexual harassment. According to UNDOC (2016), adult women account for 51 per cent of trafficked persons globally. Women and girls together account for 71 per cent with girls representing three out of four trafficked children. According to UNICEF (2016), there are 650 million girls who were married before the age of 18. Majority of women who experience violence do not seek help, be it counselling or medication. The few who seek out for help, do it within the confinement of friends and family who may end up victimizing them. Rarely do women and girls reach out to formal institutions or the police either because of fear of the perpetrator or victimization by the public. The lack of knowledge of the existing laws by women and girls leave them so vulnerable.

Orange is the theme colour of the campaign. The colour is so bright and optimistic, orange represents a future that is free from violence against women and girls.

Eliminating gender-based violence will help to realize Agenda 2063 aspiration seven, which sets to achieve an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.  We can all participate in the campaign by reporting when violence occurs, supporting women and girls who have experienced violence, become an activist and speak out on the injustices against women and girls. Let us raise the boy child to respect women and girls, teach our girls to speak out and raise awareness of the policies available on gender-based violence. Let this campaign be the opportunity to all to support women and girls to have an environment that is free from violence.