October 4th: Gender Based Violence
October 4th: Gender-Based Violence
Sponsored by Global G.L.O.W.
Among the countless inequities COVID-19 has exposed, is the “shadow pandemic“, a rise in violence against women and children, resulting from emotional and financial strain combined with the stay-at-home and lockdown measures meant to curb the pandemic. Sadly, this violence existed long before COVID-19.
Specifically, girls continue to be at greater risk of violence in all its forms, including early and forced marriage, intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation, ‘honor’ killings, violence online in the digital space, and human trafficking. Safety from violence is a basic human right and today we’ll be discussing how can we help girls to achieve #GirlsRightsNow to live a life free of violence.
Join us live on YouTube at 11:00 am EST here as we bring together Global G.L.O.W. girl advocates, Nisha, Hope, and Safalta as they share their perspectives on eliminating gender-based violence. You can follow along at #11DaysofAction #OctobHer2022 #OctobHerGlow
Global G.L.O.W. is an organization that creates and operates innovative programs designed to equip girls with the resources and skills they need to thrive. When girls are strong, healthy, and educated, they change their communities and transform societies. We often say “girls know what girls need”, we listen but we know listening is not enough to end gender-based violence. We must take action.
We are proud to use this day to raise our collective voices to speak out against gender-based violence and to share GLOW Girls’ Calls to Action.
GLOW Girls’ Calls to Action:
- Men should not harm women, should educate other men, and interrupt violence.
- Organize and carry out campaigns that help fight forms of gender-based violence like child marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Make sure the women and girls in your life know they have full rights regarding their bodies and if anyone touches them without their permission then it is against their human rights and they must speak up about it.
- Encourage family, neighbors, political leaders, and other girls and women to raise their voices for problems that women are facing.
- Keep an eye on your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors, and check in with them frequently. Listen to them and believe them. Help them find resources, support services, and safe places. Assess situations thoroughly and do not put yourself in danger (perpetrators can also harm whoever attempts to support victims). If you or someone you know needs help within the United States contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, for international resources, please check this list of international contacts.
- Technology should be used to help raise awareness and increase communication by posting on social media to help raise awareness for GBV, having a phone to call someone if you are in a violent situation, or posting photos for peers to discuss
- Families should stop hiding that their girls were abused and instead they must report the abusers
- Assess the spaces in your community that are unsafe for girls, work collectively to make those spaces safe, and let girls know where they can find support.