Uniting to end violence against women and girls

Uniting to end violence against women and girls

By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Every year on Nov. 25, the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and calling for its eradication.

This global observance marks the start of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign, concluding on Dec. 10, which is Human Rights Day.

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today, largely unreported due to impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding it.

The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women defines violence against women thus:

“Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

“This can manifest in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide) …

It also involves “sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment); human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation); female genital mutilation; and child marriage”.

According to a UN report, violence against women and girls affects one in three women, and is regarded as a global human rights emergency which must stop.

Violence against women and girls manifests in various forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse.

It also does not respect borders or identities, as it affects women and girls from all walks of life, regardless of their age, socio-economic background, or nationality.

Dr Eleanor Vance, a leading sociologist specialising in gender studies, said the statistics of violence against women and girls were chilling.

“Globally, nearly one in three women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.

“These are not just numbers; they represent countless lives shattered and futures stolen.”

Indeed, data from the UN Women supports Vance’s claim.

“Globally, an estimated 736 million women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. Girls are at particular risk of violence—1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by their partners.

“Sixteen per cent to 58 per cent of women globally experience technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Generation Z and Millennials are the most affected.

“Seventy per cent of women in conflict, war, and humanitarian crisis, experience gender-based violence; globally, female genital mutilation has increased by 15 per cent compared to data from eight years ago.”

A recent study shows that the roots of violence against women are deeply embedded in gender inequality, discriminatory social norms, and the abuse of power.

“It is a barrier to achieving equality, development, peace, and the fulfillment of women’s and girls’ human rights,” Vance said.

Maria Rodriguez, a long-time advocate, said violence against women and girls is not inevitable but preventable.

“Prevention strategies must address the root causes, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote respectful relationships from a young age.

“We need comprehensive education, strong legal frameworks, and accessible support services for survivors.”

There is a consensus that stakeholders worldwide are intensifying their efforts to combat this global scourge. However, activists say much still needs to be done.

Governments are urged to enact and enforce laws that protect women and punish perpetrators, while also investing in essential services for survivors, including shelters, helplines, and legal aid.

Read Also: Renewed Hope : First lady inaugurates digital learning centre in…

Civil society organisations also play a crucial role in providing these vital services and advocating for policy change.

David Chen, a representative of the UN Human Rights Council, said there has to be a collective responsibility in ensuring that no woman or girl lives in fear.

“This means not only responding to violence when it occurs but actively working to prevent it.

“It requires engaging men and boys as allies, transforming patriarchal norms, and empowering women economically and politically,” he said.

Activists say the theme for this year’s observance, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”, underscores the urgent need for unified action.

But what constitutes digital abuse? It includes image-based abuse/non-consensual sharing of intimate images – often called revenge porn or leaked nudes; cyberbullying, trolling, and online threats; and online harassment and sexual harassment.

Also classified as digital abuse are: AI-generated deepfakes such as sexually explicit images, deepfake pornography, and digitally manipulated images, videos or audio; hate speech and disinformation on social media platforms.

‘Doxxing’ – publishing private information; online stalking or surveillance/tracking to monitor someone’s activities; online grooming and sexual exploitation; catfishing and impersonation; and misogynistic networks – e.g., manosphere, incel forums all constitute digital abuse.

Referred to as one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse, activists call for individuals, communities, and governments to stand together, speak out, and take concrete steps to eliminate violence against women.

They say technological advancements have brought new challenges and opportunities, as online harassment, cyberstalking, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images are growing concerns.

“The digital space, while offering connection, has also become a new frontier for abuse.

“We need digital literacy campaigns and stronger regulations to make online environments safer for women and girls,” Vance said.

The Nigerian government, at both the federal and state levels, has made several significant efforts to combat violence against women, primarily focusing on legislative reforms, institutional mandates, and policy frameworks.

Although challenges persist, stakeholders commend the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act).

The law aims to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons, and provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has also been mandated to administer the provisions of the VAPP Act in the FCT and collaborate with relevant stakeholders across the country.

NAPTIP has also upgraded its relevant unit to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Department to better handle Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.

National and subnational governments, often in partnership with civil society and international partners, have also established Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in various locations.

These centres provide free, comprehensive services, including medical treatment, forensic examination, and psycho-social support to survivors of sexual violence.

For instance, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro, said that within a specific reporting period the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) handled more than 8,000 distinct cases of gender abuse and trauma.

Stakeholders say the fight to end violence against women is a fight for human rights, justice, and equality for all.

Therefore, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serves as a poignant reminder that while progress has been made, there is still a long way to go.

They call for renewed commitment, unwavering advocacy, and collective action to create a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence.

The UN said violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfillment of women and girls’ human rights.

“All in all, observers say the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – to leave no one behind – cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.” (NANFeatures)