Annually, the Ministry of Youth Development, Empowerment, Youth at Risk, Gender Affairs, Senior Security and Dominicans with Disabilities via the Bureau of Gender Affairs observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
The day begins with the International Day to Reject Violence against Women and girls. This year under the theme “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”
This year, while the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time; it is fueling an increase in Domestic Violence.
According to Executive Director of UN Women, “With 90 countries in lockdown, four billion people are now sheltering at home from the global contagion of COVID-19. It’s a protective measure, but it brings another deadly danger. We see a shadow pandemic growing, of violence against women.”
The 16 Days campaign is a time to bring into focus the premise we all have the responsibility to address the societal deep-rooted patriarchal mindsets that degrades women and girls. While we fight to protect ourselves, families and communities from this crisis, many are being impacted by what we call “the Shadow Pandemic,” which refers to the growing incidence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This pandemic has revealed gaps in the referral pathway for survivors of Gender-Based Violence and some of activities this year is aimed at reducing disruptions in services for survivors of Gender-Based Violence.
Acting Director, Bureau of Gender Affairs
Violence against women and girls is gross violation of women and children’s fundamental human rights; an obstacle to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and national development. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goal Agenda is centered on the premise “leave no one behind” and cannot be filled without eliminating violence against women and girls by 2030. The SDG Agenda speaks specifically to ending gender-based violence an integral part to achieving all the other SDG’s
Dr. Adis King: Minister of Youth Development, Youth at Risk, Gender Affairs…
In observance of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, the Ministry in collaboration with the civil society will be hosting several activities including:
- It’s a Men’s Issue Panel Discussion, Kairi FM & Vibes Radio, 8-9pm
- School Sensitization Sessions
- Fundamentals of Domestic Violence training for frontline service providers
The Ministry encourages everyone to support the virtual discussions in light of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
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