16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence 2015

Yesterday, the 25th of November marked the first day of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (16 Days). During 16 Days, individuals, communities and nations have the opportunity to bring light to the many forms of violence experienced by women and girls around the world. It also provides each of us the opportunity to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls through activities, campaigns and dialogue. Each year 16 Days begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year’s theme for activities and campaigns is: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All!” A very apt theme for me and other gender based violence (GBV) actors working in conflict and war zones. And because I am in a conflict situation where GBV is rampant and is persistently used as a weapon of war (will discuss on another day)--I felt that I need to talk about my work and life here in South Sudan. I also want to use this time to refocus some attention to South Sudan---this young nation is already falling off the international community's radar. In light of the crisis in Syria and Europe and other emerging humanitarian crises--I fear that South Sudan will be forgotten. Yet the women and children are still suffering human rights violations on a daily basis. I hope that I will let at least a few people in the U.S. not forget. And if you feel compelled---act by contacting your Congress person and reminding them that the U.S. Government must play a role in concluding the peace process and setting this new nation on the path to recovery and development.

Over the course of the next 16 days I will share information on a specific form of GBV. Not every day mind you, but most of the days. I have not done something like this before, but because my work is pretty much my life right now, I want to share that part with you.

Whenever I do advocacy on women's rights and GBV it is always my hope that the information I share will be used as discussion points with colleagues, families and friends. Education and understanding is the first step to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. Of course, because I am in South Sudan, and my second home is the African continent, much of what I write will be country and continent specific. On some days I will include a “What can I do?” component. This component is framed to highlight how each and every one of us has the power to make a difference no matter how small it may seem. The small steps we take today to eliminate violence against women, girls, men and boys can make a big impact tomorrow. My suggestions in the “What can I do?” section are that only: suggestions. These suggestions could be used as Talking Points for you to discuss with colleagues, family and friends or even better, to develop empowering and healing practices that work best for your family and community. Violence and GBV is not inherently part of the social fabric of any one nation whether developing or developed---so please be aware that GBV is happening in South Sudan, India, Brazil and of course, right in our own country of the United States.

I have written about GBV before on this blog, but I don't think I have given a substantial overview of what violence against women and girls IS--but rather shared links to websites provided that information. Here is a super brief summary.

Gender Based Violence (GBV) is violence that is directed against a woman or girl or man or boy precisely because s/he is a woman or girl or man or boy. Unfortunately, incidents of GBV disproportionately impact women and girls. GBV knows no race, ethnic, social, economic or national boundaries. Worldwide, an estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime.

Violence against women and girls is an expression of power inequalities between women and men and adults and children it can take many forms, for example:
-rape,
-sexual assault,
-female genital mutilation or cutting,
-child and forced marriage.
-sex trafficking, and
-psychological and emotional abuse which includes threats, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

These various forms of violence against women and girls can occur in public or in private life and can be perpetrated by an unknown person, family member and/or an intimate physical or sexual partner. Therefore perpetrators can be ANYONE: husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, grandfathers/mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts or neighbors. Acts of violence can be perpetrated against boys as well such as rape, sexual torture, mutilation of the genitals, and sexual humiliation. Victims of violence can suffer sexual and reproductive health consequences, including forced and unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, traumatic fistula, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and even death.

Statistics from around the world (UNFPA website):
-In India, 8,093 cases of dowry-related death were reported in 2007; an unknown number of murders of women and young girls were falsely labeled ‘suicides’ or ‘accidents’.
-In Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States, between 40 and 70 percent of female murder victims were killed by their intimate partners.
-In the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, 66 percent of murders of women were committed by husbands, boyfriends or other family members.

Worldwide,
-up to 50 percent of sexual assaults are committed against girls under 16
-Approximately 130 million girls and women have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) with more than 3 million
girls in Africa annually at risk of the practice.
-Over 60 million girls worldwide are child brides, married before the age of 18, primarily in South Asia (31.3 million) and
sub-Saharan Africa (14.1 million).
-Women and girls are 80 percent of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked across national borders annually, with the majority
(79 percent) trafficked for sexual exploitation. Within countries, many more women and girls are trafficked, often for
purposes of sexual exploitation or domestic servitude.

What can I do?

1. Discuss issues of violence with your wives, husbands and/ or intimate partners. Discuss these issues especially with your children, even with your young children---it is never too soon to start. Let them know what is appropriate and inappropriate touching. Equip your children, particularly your girl children, with the tools to protect their psychological, spiritual and physical integrity. Let them know they have a voice and it can and should be heard on any topic affecting their mind, body and soul.

2. Let the women and girls in your family and communities know you are there to support them. Let them know that you would never judge or ridicule them for being victims and survivors of GBV, especially rape or any other form of sexual violence. Women, men, girls and boys who suffer GBV have many reasons to fear coming forward and reporting their experience (e.g. stigma and perpetrator reprisals). But if as everyday persons and communities we provide an environment of support and encouragement, more GBV survivors will come forward to access the health, psycho-social and legal services they need.

3. Do not remain silent if you are a GBV survivor. You survived an incident of GBV, so that means you can survive anything. If you are a GBV survivor, please know there are people to support and protect you. Reach out to your nearest hospital or a community/women's organization--many of these places can refer you to the appropriate health and psycho-social support services. If you fear seeking help on your own, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline and they will provide you support in how to access help. The hotline number is 1 800 799 SAFE(7233)or 1 800 787 3224 (TTY), click here to learn about what to expect once you contact the hotline.

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito.” –African proverb