Starting from November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Womenand ends on December 10, 2019 Human Rights DayThis campaign calls on governments, activists and individuals to unite and push for lasting change.
To support this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched this campaign in 2008. UNITE by 2030takes place in parallel with the 16 Days of Action.
Every year, the UNITE Campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year’s focus is UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls, work towards long-term solutions that address the root causes of the problem.
Why is it important?
The statistics are astonishing: Nearly one-third of women and girls worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime.
Because at least 51,100 women by 2023, This violence escalates to Feminicide (homicide targeting women) with more than half committed by intimate partners or family members.
The agency advocates for women’s empowerment, United Nations Womenpointing out that the genocide of women is the ultimate proof The systems and structures intended to protect women and girls are failing.
Women are also not safe outside their homes.
Public figures, including politicians, human rights defenders and journalists, are often targets of violence both online and offline, with some leading to fatal consequences and intentional killings.
An alarming aspect of this problem is the prevalence of violence in conflict zones. 2023, United Nations reports Gender-based violence increased by a staggering 50% compared to the previous year.
From survivors to advocates
Women like Ukrainian activist Lyudmila Huseynova exemplify the heartbreaking reality of conflict-related sexual violence.
After more than three years of imprisonment and torture in a Russian prison, where she faced brutal physical abuse, “In that place, you become a person without rights,” recalling her suffering in Izolyatsia prison, Ms. Huseynova’s resilience turned into activism.
Since her release in 2022, she has become a steadfast advocate for survivors, working with Sema Ukraine to amplify the voices of those who have endured conflict-related sexual violence conflict and demand global attention to the atrocities faced by women and children in Ukraine.
Through her tireless efforts, Ms. Huseynova not only exposed the cruelty that women endured but also led the effort to ensure justice and rehabilitation for victims. “We will use every means to make their pain clear” she emphasized.
What can we do?
UN Women says while not all of us are activists, we all have a role to play in ending abuse.
On an individual level, from supporting local organizations to advocating for stronger laws and supporting the women in our lives, everyone can make a difference.
Argentine activist Iren Cari and founder of the Women’s Forum for Equal Opportunities emphasized the need to support women in political life and Focus their voice: “We need funds to promote women’s participation – not only in public policymaking but also in elections.”
UN Women emphasizes that governments must enact laws to ensure accountability for perpetrators of gender-based violence, in particular through National Action Plans.
At the same time, funding women’s rights organizations is essential to support survivors and Give them the resources they need to recover.
The organization emphasized that 16 Days of Activism reminds us that every action, no matter how small, contributes to the fight to end gender-based violence.
