UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Anne Hathaway at the UN official commemoration of International Women's Day on 8 March in New York. [PHOTO,COURTESY]
The UN Women has launched a global initiative, the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” The initiave is aimed at increasing investment in preventing violence against women and girls by 2030.
Understanding the Initiative
UN Women kicks off a powerful annual campaign on November 25, the International Day to End Violence against Women. The subsequent 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence serve as a rallying cry, urging governments, institutions, and citizens worldwide to unite under the theme “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”
Alarming Statistics
The campaign sheds light on realities: only 0.2% of global Official Development Assistance is currently directed toward gender-based violence prevention. Despite commitments from 78% of countries to address violence against women, 25% lack systems to track budget allocations for gender equality. Shockingly, 736 million women, or nearly one in three, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. These statistics emphasize the pressing need for increased global investment in violence prevention.
The Role of Women’s Organizations
Recognizing the critical role of women’s rights organizations, the campaign emphasizes the importance of funding these entities. Despite their essential contributions, there has been a surge in anti-rights movements and backlash against women human rights defenders globally. Investing in women’s organizations has a paramount in driving progress toward a violence-free world for women and girls.
In conclusion, the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” is a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility in creating a violence-free future. UN Women’s campaign underscores the need for increased investments and highlights the pivotal role of women’s organizations in this journey. Together, let’s empower change and work towards a world where every effort invested in preventing violence is a step towards a brighter, safer, and more equal future for all.
