The United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence is a season to raise the much-needed awareness on the rising incidences of GBV across the world, especially as it affects women. Available statistics shows that 1 in 3 women worldwide experience violence in their lifetime.
GBV goes beyond just physical harm; it includes any act of violence that causes suffering, whether it’s sexual, psychological, emotional or economic, and it can happen anywhere: in homes, at schools, on the streets, at work, or even on social media.
These forms of violence are damaging, often invisible, and far too common. More disturbing is that less than 40% of women and girls who face violence ever seek help. This silence only perpetuates the cycle.
To mark this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, the management and staff of HSCL by pledging their support for the global campaign to end GBV. In the symbolic event to mark this pledge, the staff took turns to paste their orange-painted palms on a white sheet of cloth signifying their support for the fight against GBV.
As part of the many activities to mark the 16 days of activism, HSCL Kebbi field office in collaboration with the Kebbi State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Ministry of Education also conducted an intra-school debate for students at Government Day Secondary School, Badaria and Basaura Institute of Comprehensive Education, both in Birnin Kebbi. Government Day Secondary School Gagi and Success Schools both in Sokoto as well as Prince International School and Government Girls Arabic School in Zamfara also took part in the school debate series on topics that bother on gender-based violence.
The events saw representatives of the Ministries of Women Affairs and that of Education, representatives of the Technical Working Group and Civil Society Organizations in attendance.
Boys pitched against girls in the heated argument which saw the students winning different prizes, including school bags, calculators and books.
Other activities of HSCL Kebbi field office during the 2024 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, included featuring on a radio program at the Kebbi State Broadcasting Cooperation (KBC) Birnin Kebbi in collaboration with other state actors to further discuss GBV and how it impacts our society.
The HSCL ACE 3 PMTCT/GBV Point of Contact in Kebbi State, a representative of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, and the Case Manager, GBV with Sir Yahaya Memories Hospital Birnin Kebbi, were on hand to field questions and provide insights on the GBV realities in the state.
In Sokoto state and Zamfara states, HSCL also hosted community engagement meetings with stakeholders as part of their activity to mark the 16 days of activism against GBV. The town hall meetings which were held at the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Hall in Sokoto, and Ja’iz Hotel Gusau respectively, had a lot of dignitaries in attendance, including the traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies and representatives of government agencies and parastatals as well as community members.
The meetings provided a platform for stakeholders to engage and discuss gender-based violence in its various forms. Participant had the opportunity to ask questions and get clarifications on how to handle and report incidences of GBV when they occur around them.
Highlights of the event included the investiture of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Sani Umar, and 3 others as Gender Ambassadors.
The UN 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a powerful call to action. It’s not just a campaign; it’s a demand for change. The law stands against all forms of violence, and HSCL sand firm in this fight. This is not someone else’s fight. It’s a fight for all of us.
Let’s stand up, speak out, and end gender-based violence by educating ourselves and others on gender-based violence and its impacts, speaking out when we witness or experience violence, and supporting those who have been affected by GBV. Together, we can make a difference.
