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IRIAD-The Electoral Hub Commemorate year 2020

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender. It is violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately.  

GBV can take various forms. These include sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion and economic or educational deprivation whether occurring in public or private life.

GBV undermines the health, dignity, security, and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence largely because of stigma and lack of access to resources and support systems.

Because the overwhelming majority of GBV victims are women and girls, the term Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is sometimes used to refer to the specific form of violence against females.

VAWG is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries. According to the United Nation’s Population Fund, one in three women have experienced physical or sexualized violence in their life time.

While most women and girls are at the risk of GBV, men and boys also experience GBV.

GBV has grave consequences on its victims as they can suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual reproductive health consequences, forced and unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and sometimes, death.

The 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence brings to fore awareness and accountability. As an organization, the Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development stands in solidarity with GBV victims, and joins the international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.

In commemorating this year’s 16 days of activism against VAWG, IRIAD would be carrying out public awareness campaign to inform for change as well as grow and encourage champions in economically marginalised communities and IDP settlements in Abuja.