At SGUW, we support the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign alongside our partners at the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs-SL, First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, Rainbo Initiative, SEND, and others. Consequently, last week, we participated in the official launch of this year's theme- the “Real Man Campaign”—an initiative that encourages men and boys to reject violence and confront damaging gender norms. A real man respects, protects, and uplifts women and girls.
The 16 Days of Activism remind us of the urgent need to end GBV in all forms. Key commitments have been made by stakeholders in Sierra Leone to drive change, and we at Strong Girls United Women remain committed to supporting survivors and holding leaders accountable for the promises made.
We urge everyone to support the #RealManCampaign and stand with SGUW to make a better future for these girls and all the girls around the world.
Globally, every 10 minutes a woman or girl is intentionally killed by a loved one and the killing of women and girls is on the rise. The number of women and girls killed in 2022 – nearly 89,000 – was the highest yearly number recorded in the past 20 years. Femicide is a universal issue affecting all countries and regions, and it is the ultimate and most brutal manifestation in a continuum of violence against women and girls.
Violence against women and girls remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women—nearly one in three— have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives. In the past year alone, 1 in 8 women and girls aged 15-49 has faced intimate partner violence.
The UN office of Women has produced a shprt film about the prevelence of GBV and femicide- please click the link below to see it. Its titled- Recognize Signs of Violence and Speak Up.
At SGUW, we know there is #noexcuse for violence against women and girls and that persistent high levels of GBV are not only harming the women, girls and their families and communites but whole regions. The UN estimates that GBV against women costs the global economy $1.5TRILLION every year.
At SGUW, we also know that the only solution to GBV is:
To increase the quality and quantity of girls education
To empower women economically and
To support a strong women's right movement.
Please consider making a donation to SGUW in 2024 to help us to spread our work of girls education and women's economic empowerment.
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