In a statement that began “UNITE! The Fight to End Violence against Women and Girls Campaign”, they remind that an estimated one in three women experience gender-based violence during her lifetime.
Moreover, last year, almost one in five women between the ages of 20 and 24 were married before the age of 18, and less than 40 percent they experience violence seek help in any way.
Causes of violence
At the same time, global emergencies, conflicts, and conflict have increased VAWG and exacerbated drivers and risk factors.
“Since the onset of COVID-19, 45 percent of women reported that they or a woman they know has experienced some form of VAWG,” according to the statement.
Natural disasters also exacerbate all forms of gender-based violence, as witnessed in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the 2011 tropical cyclones in Vanuatu, and from 2019 to 2022 during the bushfires in Australia.
Meanwhile, existing forms of gender-based violence have grown online as anti-rights movements have grown.
These have resulted in “shrinking space for civil society, backlash to women’s rights organizations, and increased attacks on human rights defenders and women activists”, UN agencies said.
Epidemic struggle
While the conclusion of gender-based VAWG may seem vague, the UN insists it is “not”.
“The biggest reductions in violence against women can be made through an intensive women’s movement and a council with evidence and a multisectoral activity that has expertise and investment”, the statement continued.
Citing compelling evidence that “strong and autonomous women’s movements” are the “most important factor” in ending VAWG, UN Women and its sister agencies are calling on governments and partners to “do now to end violence against women and show their solidarity with women’s rights movements and activists. “
Take steps, take steps
Through the UNiTE campaign, the UN is asking for increased long-term funding and support to women’s rights groups working on solutions to prevent and respond to VAWG.
She is also advocating for countering the backsliding on women’s rights; strengthening the voices of women’s human rights defenders and feminist movements; mobilize more actors to join movements to end VAGW worldwide; and promoting the leadership and participation of women and girls in politics, policy-making, and decision-making spheres.
The statement also emphasized the need to strengthen safeguards to prevent and eliminate violence, harassment, threats, hardship, and discrimination against women human rights defenders and women’s rights advocates/activists.
Against the Push, A # Push Forward | 16 days of 2022
