WRITTEN BY: THENJIWE NGCOBO
Gender Links (GL) and partners have joined the global community in saying “no” to gender violence.
The organisation has launched a multifaceted campaign for the Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) drive.
The campaign will take place from 25 November, which is International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women, to 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day.
Other key dates during this period include 1 December (International AIDS Day), 3 December (International Day of Persons with Disabilities) and 6 December (a commemoration of the Montreal Massacre), a day to reflect on the role of men.
GL, in partnership with the Voice and Choice Fund Southern Africa, Women Voice and Leadership South Africa, Women of the South Speak Out (Wosso) and partner organisations will celebrate Sixteen Days of Activism 2024 under the United Nations theme ‘Towards Beijing +30: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls’.
The 2024 Voice and Choice Barometer provides a powerful evidence base for this year’s campaign.
The campaign kicked off on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on 21 November with a reminder by partners in the South Africa-based Sunrise campaign of the link between economic empowerment and sustainable solutions to GBV.
The Irene M Staehelin (IMS) Foundation, based in Switzerland, is supporting the Sunrise (entrepreneurship) project in 10 municipalities spread across four provinces of South Africa.
The GL Sunrise entrepreneurs interacted with IMS board members during this event.
From 25 November to 10 December, GL and partners will host six webinars.
On 25 November, GL commemorates International Day of Non-Violence Against Women with a focus on the inclusion of technology in the GBV service system, and access to services for survivors in rural areas.
UNSAFE ABORTION
Unsafe abortion is a form of GBV. The Safe Abortion Alliance of Southern Africa will meet to devise a regional advocacy strategy from 26 to 28 November, building on the submission made to the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum.
A panel of experts will host a webinar on 28 November.
GL will commemorate World AIDS Day on 29 November (as 1 December falls on a Sunday), honouring lives lost through AIDS with a candle-lighting ceremony.
The Barometer chapter author will present key findings while partners share case studies.
On 3 December, GL will be celebrating the International Day for Persons with Disabilities under the theme ‘Amplifying Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’.
Experts in this field, as well as people with disabilities, will lead in the discussions.
Deliberations in this area will include limitations in terms of access to service as well as the psychological impact.
The 6 December webinar will focus on men and masculinity under the theme ‘Men Championing Change’.
Discussions on men leading access to sexual and reproductive health rights will take place during the webinar, including a presentation on grooming boys to stand up against societal gender norms.
There will be discussions on ways in which everyone, regardless of their gender, can support men in leadership roles, including traditional leaders, as they promote women’s rights and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.
The 10 December, International Human Rights Day will celebrate diversity, including sexual diversity, while calling for inclusion in respect of all rights of individuals. – GenderLinks
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