Today marks the beginning of the Global 16 Days Campaign to challenge all forms of violence against women and girls. This campaign is being celebrated internationally from 25 November to 10 December.
The importance of taking positive steps and actions to ensure a complete elimination of Gender-based violence in our society cannot be overemphasized. The entire world has long recognized the violence being perpetrated against women and girls in the society, and has risen not only to speak out but to ensure that women and girls all over the world are protected from all forms of degradation and abuse whether in the domestic or public space. Sadly, various forms of violence such as verbal and physical abuse, rape, sexual assault, early or forced marriage, female genital mutilation, outright killing etc., are still being meted out on the female gender. Oftentimes, the victims are unable to extricate themselves from their perpetrator(s) until the damage is done and in extreme cases, death occurs. This is still a sad reality facing our country, Nigeria, and the entire world.
Triple Justice Foundation totally condemns all forms of violence against women and girls. We further advocate for more training for the female gender on how to speak out, empowerment programs for the female gender to be able to earn their own income through various skill acquisition and not to be financially dependent; also to educate the public on how to identify signs of abuse and help survivors, and to continually teach about gender equality and human rights in schools and community activities.
This is therefore a call for a collective action by the government, individuals, law enforcement agencies, human rights defenders, civil society organizations and the global society at large to intensify efforts to ensure a complete elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
Signed
Igbodo David
Chief Executive Officer
Triple Justice Foundation
