Unite Against Rape Sensitization Walk by African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA ) in Collaboration with Pastor Bimbo Odukoya (PBO) Foundation, Child Protection Network (CPN) Children And Vulnerable Persons Protection Network (CVPN), Legal Aid Council ( LAC), Rights and Welfare of Traumatized wives and youths initiative (RAWTWAYI ) et al during the 16 Days of Activism in 2020 towards the elimination of violence against Women and girls on the 25th day of November 2020 -10th December 2020 which is the Human Rights Day to mark the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (Resolution 54/134) and the Human Rights Day. We had free legal clinics at Maryland, Anthony and Ikeja Busstop. The 2020 theme is Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”.
Let us UNITE, Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls! It is indeed sad to note that Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.
This scourge has intensified and reached an intolerable crescendo in different settings, including the home, workplace and online spaces, and has been exacerbated by post-pandemic effects, conflicts, and climate change. The skyrocketing increase in the number of defilement of children below the age of 12 years is most worrisome requiring very urgent attention.
The solution lies in robust responses, all people and governments urgent and intentional responses including investment in prevention. However, alarmingly, data on how much nations are committing to counteract violence against women and girls remains glaringly sparse and requires urgent upward review. For instance, just 5% of government aid is focused on tackling violence against women and girls, and less than 0.2% is directed to its prevention. We need more investment in women’s organizations, better legislation, prosecution of perpetrators, more services for survivors, and training for law enforcement officials and more sensitization and creation of awareness. Join our 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls. Enough is enough.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”
The 16 Days of Activism campaign is an annual international initiative that commences on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and concludes on December 10 (Human Rights Day), highlighting violence against women as a pervasive breach of human rights worldwide
Background and Objectives:
The campaign, launched in 1991, aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls through:
– Creating awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and its roots
– Sharing information on programs addressing GBV and gender inequalities
– Advocating for gender equality to prevent GBV
– Calling for renewed commitment and action
2020 Context and COVID-19 Impact:
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated GBV, with increased domestic violence reporting, restricted access to services, and heightened economic vulnerability for women and girls.
Key Messages:
– GBV reporting has spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic
– Prevention efforts should focus on transforming norms and behavior
– Better data is needed to address GBV
– Promoting gender equality can prevent GBV
– Women’s participation in decision-making processes can help prevent GBV
Call to Action:
Join the 16 Days of Activism campaign to:
– Fund essential services for GBV prevention and response
– Prevent GBV through national zero-tolerance policies and social mobilization
– Respond to GBV with adequate services and criminal justice
– Collect data for improved GBV services and programs
– adopt to Child to mentor, educate and empower
– Report abuse and do not compromise justice
– support NGO’s working on this project
– provide welfare package and protection for victims of abuse
Together, let’s work towards ending gender-based violence.
Source: United Nations
Mandy Demechi -Asagba
President
African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)
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www.awlanigeria.org
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