GenDI, calls for action to end violence against women, girls
As the world renews its commitment to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV), through a 16 day activism from November 26th to 10th December every year, a non governmental organization, Gender Development Initiative (GenDi), has joined the rest of the world to call end to violence against women and girl child
GENDI through its Executive Director, Prof Olubunmi Ashimolowo has set priority areas in addressing violence against women in rural and urban communities in Ogun State
According to various reports, about 1 to 3 women suffer from gender based violence and 5 of girls and women (respectively) are killed every hour due to intimate partners and family members; while less than 40% of women seek for help in Nigeria, embarked on the sensitization to figth the trend.
It was also gathered that many publications have reported that gender-based violence has heightened due to Covid-19 pandemic as women and girls find their rights continuously violated upon.
Salient Times report that in support of the annual international campaign against Gender Based Violence against females, Gender and Development Initiative, (GENDI), has set pace to champion advocacy and call to action in Ogun State, Nigeria.
The coordinated strategies developed by the leadership is aimed at supporting this year’s theme ‘activism to end violence against women and girls’.
The GENDi worked in its operations and also with the support of Partners such as State ministry of Women Affairs, the Civil Defence, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC} and FORD Foundation on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Via the programs of GenDi, we have strengthened community structures aimed at prevention, reporting and reducing incidences of Gender based violence in the communities, with the setting up of Community Champions.
These strategies involve sharing of information, meetings, and awareness creation activities, including campaigns to call to action.
Harmful consequences of GBV to communities were stressed during the outreaches with community members pledging to drastically support the prevention of violence and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
Furthermore, to increase the reach, the organization has started building structures by using the community policing approach to reduce GBV in high-risk areas in Ogun State.
The capacity of the partners such as para military, health workers and community response team (CRT) members were built to detect, report and refer incidences of GBV.
With the support of the State Ministry of Women Affairs, we have resolved various cases of GBV in the past years while some were referred to the judiciaries.
We create message design that can be easily relatable by the public.
We hope to start the ‘Help is here’ campaign and hash tag #speakupnow as a way of encouraging survivors to overcome the cultural and social stigma related with GBV and building community system to further support survivors.
Also, with the support of WARDC and Ford foundation, we have supported the institution of Community response team at Sagamu and Ado-Odo Ota Local government Areas.
They were charged with the responsibility of Solidarity, Accountability, and Commitment to ending violence Against Women and Girls (SAC-VAWG).
The CRT members have been taking up cases within their communities while women have equally started leading discourse on GBV with the Women leaders, taking the lead.
No doubt, the 16 days anchored the amplification of voices by survivors and activist, GenDi is strengthening gender movements to empower women and girls, reduce and prevent violence against women whilst protecting their rights.
In accessing the new world, the Executive Director, Professor Olubunmi Ashimolowo, remarked that GenDi stands firm in new and concrete commitment to launch initiatives through specific measures to address and prevent gender based violence in the rural and urban communities.
This initiative excludes cultural and bias stereotypes that would help positively promote ratifying public awareness campaigns, education programme, and peace keeping enforcement. Women alone cannot do it alone, we need the support of men, the police etc.
To further strengthen the elimination of violence against women and girls, GenDi hopes to expand network and partnerships with social agencies in the country and around the world whilst influencing government’s policies on ending violence against women and girls.
Our red painted priority is to educate, prevent, respond, research, and empower women to become the next generation of change leaders and global influencers for women diversity and inclusion. Beyond 16 days of activism, is a new world free from gender-based violence against women and girls.
I hope this public information campaign helps victims to available community services and resources.
