Posts tagged gender-based violence

As we mark the 2018 international day International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation we need to accelerate efforts of raising awareness and encourage concrete actions to stop the harmful practice.

Leaving no-one behind should mean focusing on both the abused and the abusers. This is the only way in which the 16 days of activism can be inclusive enough and ensure change for today’s and all future generations.

In an analysis of gender based violence, Paula Akugizibwe shows how through actions or inactions, society is either reinforcing, or challenging social norms.

In the illustration Chinue Igwe, a biracial Nigerian-American lesbian woman discusses the complexities of coming out the closet. The illustration depicts the prevalent conservative social, cultural and religious attitudes, which are normally used in society as the basis to dismiss homosexuality as a sin or reprehensible behaviour.

In an era where creative platforms are still being dominated by men across the African continent, the latest book by Liz Kilili highlights the strengths of some of the continent’s most talented female creatives. Here are some highlights from her latest book titled Femmolution.

“He did it in a classroom, the staff room and in his house”.

12-year-old Mary and 13-year-old Mercy (not their real names) were sexually abused by a deputy head teacher on numerous occasions and on diverse dates. He assaulted them in different places in and around their school. During the investigation, it also emerged that the teacher had been transferred from another school due to committing the same violations. He was a serial rapist. Period.

A segment aired on Moroccan state TV channel showing women how to cover bruises from domestic violence with make-up has raised the ire of social media, strongly criticised for sanitising the abuse of women. A campaign “Don’t cover domestic violence with makeup” is gathering steam, and petitioners are calling on broadcasting authorities to take action against the channel.

Violence against women and girls is still a global pandemic. Around the world, one in three women have experienced some form of violence, either sexual or physical violence. This year, the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign invites everyone across the world to “Orange the world,” using the colour designated by the UNiTE campaign to symbolize a brighter future without violence (16 days of activism to fight gender-based violence).

A Facebook post by a Ugandan student, Joaninne Nanyange, which chronicles how she was stopped from entering the Law Development Centre by two women because she was inappropriately dressed [knee length skirt] has stirred a debate on the platform. The post has divided opinion over what constitutes “appropriate dressing”, and several questions have been raised on Facebook. Questions such as how should a “proper” dress code be defined and measured, Who (should) define the decency and appropriateness of how women dress (formally and informally)? What informs institutional rules of professional attire?

Africa joins the world in observing the International Day for the elimination of violence against women. The day was designated by the United Nations to raise awareness on gender based violence, and strengthen efforts to end violence against women. The day also recognises the efforts of civic organizations, ‎and individuals involved in the fight against gender violence.