Priotise Policies on Elimination of Violence Against Women- Taiwo-Adebakin charges government

The national president of the Southern Women Forum (SWF) Dr Hellen Taiwo-Adebakin has charged government at all levels to priotise policies and programme on the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women.

Dr Taiwo-Adebakin, the proprietress of Hellextimi Group of Schools,who was the guest speaker at the programme organised by the department of peace, security and humanitarian studies, University of Ibadan ,in commemoration of the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women posited that the society cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer and allow violence against women and girls to continue to undermine their dignity and their potentials.

She disclosed that ,”violence against women is a global pandemic that knows no boundaries. It transcends borders, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. It affects women of all ages, races, religions, and sexual orientations. It is a violation of human rights, an obstacle to gender equality, and a barrier to social and economic development.

According to the World Health Organisation, globally, about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life. In some regions, the prevalence is even higher, reaching up to 45%. Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings. Violence also has a significant economic cost, estimated at 1.5 trillion US dollars globally in 2016. This means that in this room, there are likely several women who have suffered silently, afraid to speak out or seek help.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, as lockdowns, isolation, and stress have increased the exposure of women and girls to abusive partners, reduced their access to support services, and limited their ability to seek help. The UN Secretary-General has called the rise of violence against women and girls during the pandemic a “shadow pandemic” that requires urgent action.

“We cannot let violence against women and girls hinder our progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“To achieve this, we must address the root causes of violence against women. We must challenge the patriarchal norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality. We must educate our children, both girls, and boys, to reject violence and embrace respect and equality. We must dismantle the systems that enable violence to flourish and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

“We need to invest in the elimination of violence against women and girls, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is the smart thing to do. Investing in the elimination of violence against women and girls has multiple benefits, such as:

“We stand together to break the silence, to raise awareness, and to demand change. We must create a society where no woman lives in fear, where her human rights are respected, and where she can thrive without the threat of violence.

“But ending violence against women is not just about preventing harm. It is also about empowering women and ensuring their full participation in all aspects of life. We must create an environment where women can exercise their rights, access education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. We must amplify their voices and ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes.

“I urge you all to join me in this endeavour, and to make the elimination of violence against women and girls a priority in your policies, programmes, and budgets. Together, we can end this scourge, and create a safer, fairer, and more prosperous world for all.

How can we invest in the elimination of violence against women and girls? There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are some proven strategies and best practices that we can learn from and adapt to our contexts. Some of these include:

– Prevention: Ending violence against women and girls before it even occurs, by addressing its root causes and risk factors, such as gender inequality, discrimination, harmful norms and practices, and lack of education and awareness. Prevention also involves engaging men and boys as allies and positive role models, and empowering young people to challenge violence and promote respect and equality.

Protection: Ensuring that women and girls who experience violence have access to safe, confidential, and quality services, such as shelters, hotlines, counseling, legal aid, and health care. Protection also involves strengthening the capacity and accountability of the police, the judiciary, and other institutions to respond effectively and sensitively to cases of violence against women and girls.

-Participation: Supporting the voices and leadership of women and girls, especially survivors and activists, in decision-making processes and platforms that affect their lives and rights. Participation also involves strengthening the role and resources of women’s organisations and movements, which are at the forefront of the fight against violence against women and girls.

-Partnership: Building coalitions and networks among different stakeholders, such as governments, civil society, the private sector, the media, the academia, the UN system, and the donor community, to coordinate actions, share experiences, and mobilise resources for the elimination of violence against women and girls. Partnership also involves fostering a culture of solidarity and mutual support among women and girls, and across different groups and sectors, to amplify their voices and impact.

Investing in the elimination of violence against women and girls is not only a moral obligation, but also a strategic opportunity. It is an opportunity to transform our societies, to advance our development, and to realise our common vision of a world where women and girls live free from fear and violence, and enjoy their full and equal rights.

“Today, let us recommit ourselves to the cause of eliminating violence against women. Let us pledge to create a world where every woman can live free from fear and violence. Together, we can make a difference and build a future where gender equality is not just a dream but a reality.”