Hello again! Looking at media reports it seems like the number of cases of GBV are escalating, or maybe it is cases that are reported, which are at last going up. You can review this page for the latest GBV statistics from most parts of the world that show no one is immune. As we mark the 16 days of activism against GBV, we will share some resources that could inform your approach. You can read more on the history of these campaigns which originated in memory of three sisters who were murdered for their activism in the Dominican republic in 1960. We think this campaign should be a a daily campaign, as the data shared above shows startling numbers!

This year UN women shared a blog article on 16 ways you can stand against rape culture which you can find here. We love this messaging because it gives us collective responsibility in the fight against GBV. No more can we look at only the survivor, their family, the justice system nor the health system to end this.

• UNFPA also posted an article that demonstrates the added risk to violence faced by persons with disability. Women Challenged to Challenge organisation in Kenya has also published on this issue.

• Among the most potentially influencial stakeholders in ending GBV are religious communities and leaders. SONKE Gender Justice, a South African organisation shares case studies from Indonesia, Uganda and Lebanon that holds some lessons for us on how we can influence this space. You can access these case studies here.

• The ILO has also published a global standard that aims to end violence and harrassment in the world of work. The exploitation and power issues at a workplace level has led to violence. We believe it is upon organisations to translate these standards to their context and to institute policies against sexual abuse and harrassment.

• You can access this resource guide for more information on GBV.

”This crisis of violence against women and children is a great shame on our nation. It goes against our African values and everything we stand for as a people. We grew up being taught that as men and boys we must respect women and protect children. We were taught to never, ever raise your hand against a woman. But we have lost our way. Our communities are in the grip of violence against those we are supposed to protect. We are here today to unite under the theme: ‘Enough is Enough.’ Because we have truly had enough.”

South African President Cyril Rampahosa (2019)