The 16 Days of Activism against Violence Against Women and girls is an international civil society-led campaign that takes place every year. It commences on the 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on the 10th of December, Human Rights Day.
The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism is “UNITE! Activism To End Violence Against Women And Girls” which aims to mobilize civil society, women’s rights organizations, and all other organizations, societies and individuals to become activists for the prevention of violence against
women.
This year, Global Rights according to a press release from Global Rights Nigeria is focusing its campaigns on violence against women and girls with special needs and in vulnerable groups.
A major challenge that is linked to both gender and disability-based exclusion is violence against women and girls living with some form of disability. Many of the same forms of violence that other women and girls encounter also affect women and girls with disabilities (e.g., psychological, physical, sexual and economic abuse). However, compared to women who are not special needs, studies have shown that the rate of sexual assault on women with disabilities is at least twice that of women in general.
Despite this, there is still a dearth of information on how abuse affects girls, women and even children with disabilities and what obstacles they face when trying to access help which has led to the marginalization and abuse of women and girls with disabilities.
Global Rights will host a series of conversations on violence against women and girls with special needs, and those belonging to vulnerable groups. The first will be a Twitter Space conversation spotlighting the elderly and domestic workers titled “Violence against Vulnerable Women and Girls: Domestic Staff and The Elderly ” (December 2, 2022, 7pm WAT) and the second will be a hybrid conversation and will explore a broader theme: VAWG with Special Needs and in Vulnerable Groups: Risks, Barriers, Prevention and Response, (December 8, 2022) with the main objective of harmonizing the perspectives of key stakeholders in understanding the risks faced by PWDs and vulnerable persons, barriers in accessing support, and preventive and effective response mechanisms for survivors.
We will also be sharing data-backed information on the different ways violence against women with disabilities manifests, on our social media accounts daily.
Remember that the change we seek starts with us so here are some ways you can get involved:
1. Join the conversation: There will be a series of virtual and physical conversations on women and girl protection this season, make the time to be a part of some. Sometimes, just listening is enough.
2. Repost and share useful information: Use social media for good. Repost and share resource materials, tips, and other helpful information you come across.
3. Volunteer: You can offer your services to a local charity advocating for women.
4. Call out inappropriate behaviour: Even the simplest act of calling out inappropriate behaviour or comments can go a long way in preventing abuse.
5. Keep up with us on social media: Twitter @rapeisacrimeng and Instagram @rapeisacrimeng_ to stay updated on all our activities and see other ways you can be a part of 16 Days.
Signed
Mr. Mike ABU, Publisher, Nigerian Post Newspaper.
Mr. Moses Adedeji
Executive Director
Trees on Earth Development Foundation.
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