Investing in women’s rights organizations essential to gender equality – UN Women
UN Women said the key to achieving gender equality is to invest in and empower women’s rights organizations.
UNWomen Country Representative Béatrice Eyon, speaking at a regional consultation with women’s rights organizations organized under the “16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence”, said that since the launch of the “16 Days of Action 20”, He lamented that no major changes had been made. years ago.
Regarding gender equality, she said: Proactive and innovative solutions are required. The key to these solutions lies in investing in and empowering women’s rights organizations. You have the knowledge, tools, and determination to rebuild society to be safer, more inclusive, and just. ”
It added: “In the 20 years since the 16 Days Campaign was first held, we have witnessed some historic achievements in ending violence against women and girls. Today, we would like to recognize this progress. We must pause to remember that we have not significantly changed the composition of the peace conference or the impunity enjoyed by those who commit atrocities against women and girls.
“Indeed, 16 days of action to end violence against women should not only be a celebration, but also a wake-up call against the backdrop of the backlash against gender equality around the world, particularly in West and Central Africa.”
She also lamented: “The opposition to gender equality is well-coordinated, well-structured and well-planned. It deliberately seeks to undermine women and girls’ access to human rights institutions. The consequences of ignoring commitments will be long-lasting and intergenerational for women, and immediate and dramatic for world peace, especially for the West African region.”
She says research shows that the presence of a strong, autonomous feminist movement is the most important factor in driving change in eliminating violence against women and girls in policy-making and transforming social norms and power relations. He recalled that it was shown.
She revealed: “Recognizing the potential of women’s rights organizations, the European Union and UN Women have partnered to develop a new initiative called ACT to end violence against women. We focus on strengthening advocacy, building coalitions, and transformative feminist action to end violence against women.”
Eseme Stuart, the European Union’s focal point, said the ACT program is a new joint commitment between the European Commission and UN Women.
She explained: “As you all know, this Action Coalition is a multi-stakeholder partnership that mobilizes governments, civil society, international organizations and the private sector in the fight against gender-based violence.
“Our approach to the ACT program builds on the experience of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, which many people are familiar with.”
Source: dailypost.ng