As International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women last Friday marked the launch of the United Nations UNiTE campaign led by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UNWomen, I commit to standing in solidarity and taking action this 16 days of activism in hopes to further prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls, call for global action to increase awareness, and create opportunities for discussion on solutions to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations today. For many women and girls in Nigeria, home, school and communities remain unsafe, despite violence in all forms being preventable. Almost one in three women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence, with one in four girls, including very young ones, experiencing sexual violence, in Nigeria.

The Wellbeing Africa Foundation is targeting this worrying data and trend through our various programming, by raising awareness, educating families and influencing positive community behavioural change. Our midwives and nurses promote a culture that does not tolerate any form of violence and break down the stigma attached to the social norms which allow this behaviour to go unspoken and unpunished. Through the safe, brave and supportive spaces WBFA creates, we are contributing to the fulfilment of women’s and girls’ human rights and to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Violence cuts across all generations, cultures, levels of education, income, religion and backgrounds. We must all join to act and ensure we leave no woman or girl behind by adopting adequate laws and legislation, addressing harmful gender norms, and providing comprehensive access to health resources and services for justice.

Let us unite, take a stand, and raise our voices in support of women and girls’ rights.

#16Days #OrangeTheWorld