Today marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an annual campaign that begins on November 25 through December 10. The campaign is organised every year to raise visibility around the call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence. It also serves as a reminder and a call to action for everyone’s role in fighting against violence. For years, various movements and campaigns have been organised to end this vice, but much is yet to be attained for success. Statistics show that more than 1 in 3 women experience gender-based violence during their lifetime. The World Health Organisation indicates that violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights. Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Gender based violence remains one of the harshest violations of human rights. If it’s not rape, it is defilement, sexual harassment at work, or rape. There is so much pain to endure, yet violence can happen anywhere, be it at home, at work or even on streets. It’s a heart wrenching and humiliating struggle that women have to endure. But this should neither happen nor be expected. The world can be a safe place for both women and men. If only the patriarchal norms are addressed and overturned, perpetrators be brought to justice, women be empowered to speak and stand for their rights, as well as be economically empowered such that they don’t have to put up with violent partners out of dependence. Ending violence against women is an achievable target, especially if everyone makes it their responsibility, and most importantly, have men be part and parcel of the goal. We can all work to amplify voices that speak for peace, create environments that enable women thrive other than putting them down. And ensure that present movements and campaigns are all effective in ending gender based violence.
