GBV actors
The United Nations Populations Fund, together with about 10 GBV partners, various UN agencies; UNHCR, WFP, FAO, OCHA and the Ministry of Empowerment, have joined the international community in commemorating 16 days af activism against GBV.
The Campaign which started from November 25th to December 10th, celebrated under the theme: Orange the World: "End Violence against Women".
Over 30 participants; Local GBV actors, men and women from different walks of life were schooled on the causes, risks and consequences of GBV against women. Talks, sketches, panel discussions characterized activities of the day for participants to better understand what GBV is all about. It was echoed that GBV is not about being a woman but giving equal rights and equal opportunities for both men and women.
The head of OCHA Sub Office, ILham Moussa gave an overview of the GBV cases in the NWR, explaining that an increase in cases of GBV is owing to the ongoing crises. Given that most women in crisis are weapons of war the woman in the NWR is not an exception. She has been reduced to psychological, physical, economic and social violence. She then urged participants to collaborate to fight against all forms of violence related to gender
ILham Moussa, head of OCHA Sub Office
GBV Sub Cluster interagency Coordinator for the NW/SW, Florence Alina Ediuon her part talked about the fact that they still face problems though key actors are in existence in the region. The capacity for effective response is low in the region :Some areas hardly have any interventions to address GBV.
A sketch was staged for actors and participants to better understand the causes, risks and consequences of GBV, a panel discussion took the centre stage with reference to the theme, giving reasons why men do not report GBV cases. Reasons being that society has made men superior, some men still think GBV is less important and that Women gang up against men.
Sketch on causes, risks and consequences of GBV
GBV actors and participants were admonished to change the narrative by suggesting strategies that can change mindsets by educating children about human rights and equal rights, avoid discrimination and use different forums to change mindsets, while creating gender clubs so that boys and girls can better understand equal rights n enjoy equal opportunities.
Panel discussion
If gender based equality is not attained GBV will always resurface. Key propositions were made by the GBV Sub Cluster Inter-agency Coordinator for the Nw/Sw, Florence Alina Ediu which stated: Funding agencies, budget holders, resource mobilizers have to take greater actions towards funding of GBV mainstreaming activities by implementing partners.
Humanitarian agencies, organizations and individuals were urged to consider strategies that challenge violence against women at work and partners task to embrace coordination and effective referral in addressing causes, risks and consequences of violence against women so as to effectively mitigate the life threats conditions.
Everyone within communities in the NW/SW, Male and female are advised to say NO to any act of violence, stop perpetrating, or condoning GBV.
Cross section of participants
Key messages were drafted for take home to Serve as reminder ; let's end violence against women, zero tolerance for rape, break the silence, as silence hides violence amongst others.
ILham Moussa called on all to LISTEN and talk about GBV so that survivors can rebuild their lives, while naming and shaming perpetrators.
Ndong Carine
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