End violence against women and girls Now!!!!!

10th December is international human rights day, also happens to be the culmination of 16days of activism against gender based violence. The two things that happens on this day are very dear to me. i passionately ensure that i engage fully to ensure that the society i live in and the world globally know that violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights.  i dream of a society free of violence, where women and girls walk on the streets without turning their heads to see who is behind them for fear of attack,  a time when women shall speak and rise their voices without caring who is listening,  a time when women and girls shall walk to a police station to report a case without victim blaming, a time when rape and sexual harassment shall be  a thing of the past in my society and globally, a time women shall occupy high decision making positions without being looked as women but as leaders who are capable to deliver their mandate........ that is the reason why i founded YOUNG AFRICAN WOMEN INITIATIVES... to provide women and girls a platform to learn, know their rights, claim their rights and to hold duty bearers accountable. during the 16 days of activism in 2022, i realized that majority of women at the grassroots level do not actually know who are the stake holders in the fight against gender based violence, and this great idea of having an exhibition of the key stakeholders in GBV issues. i mobilized legal aid services providers, GBV survivors shelters providers,  violence prevention actors, economic empowerment actors, policy makers and implementer s  and finally the local government gender department.  we never celebrated the day but we raised awareness to community  members on where and when they can find help when they need it. also how they can prevent gender based violence. it was such as colorful event using dance, art, music, skits and survivors sharing their stories and how they got helped.

i look forward to many more events in my country rather than just having boardroom meetings but also when we engage community members one on one and make GBV prevention participatory.