On 25th November every year; The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the world marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. This is usually a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world. The international campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.
This year 2016 marks the 25th year of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign, initiated in 1991.
Burundi
A meeting with a senior adviser official of the presidency in charge of social issues as decision maker and a campaign on Maputo Protocol with Representatives of civil society organizations working in the field of human rights and advocacy.
DRC: Goma
A workshop in a rural area of Goma city with local leaders and religious leaders educating young women and men to talk about GBV and Maputo Protocol, a meeting with the president of the youth provincial council who is the leader of all the youth in North Kivu province and the intermediary between youth and Authorities, a meeting with 100 students in the main university in North Kivu (ULPGL) to present the network and talk about the Maputo protocol and how students can get involved and a meeting with REJADH Bukavu to share a note on the network.
DRC: South Kivu-Bukavu
A conference on GBV 2- cultural event with local leaders, parents and youth and copies of Maputo protocol were distributed.
Mali
A meeting with the National Youth Council of Mali, a meeting and experience sharing with the director of children parliament, a conference on the Maputo protocol with representatives from youth organisation and a meeting with local and religious leaders together with parents and children.
South Sudan
A meeting with commissioner of peace reconciliation commission of South Sudan, a visit to an orphanage Center in Juba, a workshop on GBV, a meeting with Bishop Enok (South Sudan Council of Churches and key leader in the Church).
Somalia
Training young people on advocacy and human rights, recruiting more young people to the network, a Boys and Girls summit in Mogadishu, a meeting with senior government officials and ministers, Celebrated the International Human Rights Day.
Myths Surrounding GBV!
| MYTH | TRUTH |
|---|---|
| Governments are powerless to stop these kinds of things from happening. | Governments have the power to help END GBV. |
| Men have no role in ending violence against women. | Men have a role in ending GBV. |
| Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) only happens to women against their will. | Some women take part in FGV voluntarily. |
| That child marriage is a thing of the past. | Child marriage continues to take place up-to-date. |