Every year from 25th November to 10th December, the world observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This year’s campaign with the global theme “Orange the World: Fund, Prevent, Respond, Collect,” aims to push for the ratification of C190, but with a dedicated emphasis on informal female workers whose lives and livelihoods have been seriously affected by COVID-19 and the resulting unprecedented economic crisis.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls. Violence against women is a global problem that requires collective action. Calls for action like the 16 Days of Activism are fundamental because they shine a spotlight on the issue of violence against women. They are moment to create public awareness about what needs to change and to prevent Gender-Based Violence from happening in the first place at local, national and international levels.
Rainbo initiative and it partners will join the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs and the world to observe this year’s campaign in Sierra Leone, as organisations working on Gender-Based Violence against women and girls has coined this year’s global theme “Orange the World: Fund, Prevent, Respond, Collect” to have a national theme that will raise awareness and make a Cleon call for everyone to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence during this COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The theme is “Speak Up! Support and End Violence against Women and Girls”.
As the world retreated into homes as a result of the lock-down measures imposed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, reports have shown an alarming rise in the already existing pandemic of violence against women.
In observance of this year’s 16 Days of Activism, Rainbo Initiative and it partners will organise series of awareness-raising events like mounting of PA system, SGBV parade and debate competition amongst 6 schools in Freetown, public lecture in 6 colleges and universities, and media engagements for this year’s commemoration. These activities are based on the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls and to amplify the empowerment of women.
Currently, Rainbo Initiative is delivering programmes that help women and girls in the country to be aware of, have access to, and utilise, quality and comprehensive free medical, psychosocial services and age-appropriate treatment for survivors of physical and sexual assault.
Speaking out against women’s rights abuses is a big problem that needs to be addressed by everyone. From lobbying with governments to improve laws and services to working with communities to change discriminatory attitudes and behaviours, organisations and individuals are working all over the world to respond to and prevent violence against women.
To end violence against women, we need to challenge the attitudes that perpetuate, rationalise and normalise that violence, and deny women’s right to safety. Shifting these behaviours are hard and slow, but gender equality means all of us, and working with all genders is the only way to see true change.
You can support survivors of physical and sexual assault to stay safe and free of violence. Take action during this year’s 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence.