LocationsAre You Safe?: 16 Days of Activism Against GBV Unveils the Criticality of Ending Violence Against Women
December 12, 2022
Image from the TV Launch of the 16 Days Campaign in Lusaka, Lusaka Province
Every 11 minutes, a woman or girl is killed by an intimate partner or family member — the criticality of this fact has led the world-over to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in a more strategic and concerted approach than ever before.
The Sixteen (16) Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is one such effort that happens each year to address the growing challenge of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). This year, the commemoration was a hive of events staged to raise awareness and make a resolute call for the elimination of all forms of VAWG. The launching pad of this year’s commemorative event was marked by a high-level campaign under the theme: “Are you Safe…?’’ At work, at home, at school?”
The campaign resonated well with this year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls!”. It focused on highlighting violence against women and girls that occurs at home, in workplaces and in schools. The theme encouraged all Zambians to unite and look out for their families, friends and colleagues who may be experiencing GBV by ensuring that they seek qualified services available throughout the country.
Image from the TV Launch of the 16 Days Campaign in Lusaka, Lusaka Province
To fight the scourge of GBV, His Excellency the President of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, through the Honourable Chief Justice, Dr Mumba Malila, SC State Counsel, expressed concern at the rising number of GBV cases in the country and noted that there was need “to work towards raising the status of our women and girls by facilitating for their social and economic empowerment starting from giving them the most basic tool and right, which is education”. We can state the event where these words were being said. Ok then link the para below to this one.
He said this during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, “My Government is focusing on empowering vulnerable citizens including women, girls and persons with disabilities through ensuring access to land, ensuring access to business opportunities, provision of meaningful employment and allowing for participation in governance”.
Image of the Mandanga Neighbourhood Community Health Committee and the Mandanga Community Welfare Assistance Committee at a GBV focused Community Meeting in Mandanga, Western Province
According to the President, these interventions will ensure that the fight against GBV is sustainable.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms Beatrice Mutali, highlighted that the theme draws attention to the government, civil society and women’s rights organizations, and the whole network of campaigners “to become activists for the prevention of violence against women, to stand in solidarity with women’s rights activists and to support feminist movements in Zambia and around the world to resist the rollback on GBV”.
The theme is a recognition that despite these worrying trends, there is also more evidence than ever before that VAWG is preventable whilst research has also shown that large scale reductions in VAWG are possible through multi-sectoral coordinated actions of governments and civil society, and intensive advocacy efforts and media campaigns carried out by feminist organisations.
Together, the United Nations witnessed its support to the launch of the Are You Safe campaign, exhibitions on GBV awareness, and the television national address by the Permanent Secretary of Gender amidst many other activities organized to raise GBV awareness.
Image of the Irish Ambassador to Zambia, Brough Carr (L), the Permanent Secretary for the Gender Division, Mainga Kabika (M), and the UN Zambia Resident Coordinator, Beatrice Mutali (R) at the Official Signing of the Joint Programme on Gender Equality and Women’s Participation Initiative in Lusaka, Lusaka Province
The UN system in Zambia closed out the 16 Days period with the launch of a Joint Project entitled the Gender Equality and Women’s Participation Initiative, in partnership with the Gender Division and with the support of the Government of Ireland, as represented by the Irish ambassador to Zambia – Bronaugh Carr. By mainstreaming gender equality measures to stimulate the active participation of women in Zambia’s social, economic, and political spheres, the initiative looks beyond 16 Days and aims to tackle the root causes of gender inequality which is closely correlated to a prevalence of GBV.