WE publish below, the statement from the SADC Executive Secreatary H.E. Mr Elias M. Magosi, on the occasion of the 2022 Commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign runs from the 25th November to the 10th of December, 2022 under the theme: UNITE! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) once
again joins the international community to add its voice on a
global call against Gender Based Violence (GBV) as it
commemorates 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based
Violence Campaign which runs annually from 25th November to
10th December.
The theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, UNITE!
Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls”,
presents us with a unique opportunity to increase awareness,
share knowledge and take concrete actions towards preventing
and eliminating this social-ill through forging a united front and
strong collaboration with all actors.
At the onset, it is imperative to underscore that Gender Based
Violence (GBV), particularly against women and girls, remains
the most widespread and pervasive human rights violation
globally and in our region. GBV poses a serious impediment to
our collective efforts to achieve national and regional
development goals, as it deprives women and girls, who
constitute over half of the population of the SADC region, of their
full potential and full participation in the region’s socio-economic
development. It is for this reason that SADC has placed
elimination of Gender Based Violence among the key priorities
as reflected in the Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development, and the Regional Strategy and Framework of
Action for Addressing GBV (2018-2030), which focuses on
prevention and coordinated regional response to GBV.
We commemorate this year’s 16 Days Campaign against the
background of continued negative impact of COVID 19
pandemic, especially amongst women and girls. As a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic, women have been forced into extreme
poverty and continue to bear the burden of unpaid care and
domestic work, and this thereby further drives the vulnerability of
women and girls to GBV.
As we commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism against
Gender Based Violence, we ought to accelerate national and
regional actions to promote the leadership of women and girls
and ensure their meaningful participation in political, policymaking
and decision-making space, including in development
and peace building processes. We must ensure that women and
girls are at the table when decisions that affect them are made,
so that their perspectives are taken into account. Additionally, we
must continue to engage men and boys as key partners in our
society, so that they can play a role in promoting gender equality
and addressing Gender Based Violence.
The multi-dimensional nature of GBV requires proper
coordination, forming effective networks and broad-based
partnerships in order to mount an effective and formidable
national and regional response to GBV. In this regard, we call for
multi-sectoral, coordinated actions involving Governments, civil
society, women’s rights organisations, organisations working
with men and boys, traditional and religious leaders,
development partners, the private sector, media and academia
to step up advocacy efforts and media campaigns, as well as
accelerated implementation of policy frameworks to address
Gender-Based Violence.
We commend the incredible contribution of civil society and
women’s rights organisations across the globe and in our region
for leading from the front, speaking on behalf of women and girls
against unacceptable practices, behaviours and acts that
perpetuate gender based violence.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism should serve as a reminder to all
that everyone has an crucial role to play in addressing the root
causes of GBV, and in ending this social malice. I am convinced
that, with our collective efforts and commitment, we can set the
SADC region on a sustainable path towards ending GBV and
ultimately, achieve the SADC Vision 2050 of a peaceful,
inclusive, competitive, middle-to-high income industrialised
region, where all citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being,
justice, and freedom.
Thank you!
