Starting today, November 25th up to December 10th which is Human Rights Day, the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence is meant to speak out on the violence against women and girls as well as support and empower survivors of gender-based violence.
All across the globe, people stand in solidarity with survivors, advocates and human rights defenders who are working to prevent and end violence against women and girls.
Today being the first day of the 16 Days of Activism, here in Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Education Ambassador Amina Mohamed joined other women leaders at Uhuru Park to flag off the Women’s Run 2018 and call for protection of women and girls against all forms of sexual and gender based violence.
Joined other women leaders at Uhuru Park this 1st day of #16DaysofActivism to flag off the Women’s Run 2018 and call for protection of women and girls against all forms of sexual and gender based violence. pic.twitter.com/dRRmMJwL7a
— AMB.(Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed (@AMB_A_Mohammed) November 25, 2018
“Joined other women leaders at Uhuru Park this 1st day of #16DaysofActivism to flag off the Women’s Run 2018 and call for protection of women and girls against all forms of sexual and gender based violence,” said Amina in a tweet.
CS Amina Mohamed was joined by other leaders such as Nairobi’s Women Representative Esther Passaris, Principal Secretary State Department of Gender Affairs, Safina Kwekwe and Martha Karua, Kenyan athlete Catherine Ndereba among others.
The Women’s Run 2018 saw women from across the country come together to run running against all forms of gender based violence: physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and economical so that girls and women around Kenya can be safe.
As part of the 16 days of activism, the women’s run calls for protection against victims of gender based violence & shifting the blame from the survivors to the perpetrators.
In Kenya, statistics show that 39% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence from a husband or partner. Even more shocking, the World Health Organization(WHO) says that every 10 minutes, somewhere in the world, an adolescent girl dies as a result of violence.
Speaking at the Women’s Run, Nairobi County Women’s Rep Esther Passaris said that every one is entitled to safe spaces, a right that should never be violated.
While alluding to the video that went viral of students from Ambani High School hurling insults at her and her Interior Ministry counterpart, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Amina Mohamed said that they, women will not accept to be called names saying that they do not call anyone names themselves.
We must never tolerate acts of violence against women and girls. We continue to push forward with actions that protects women and girls. #16DaysOfActivism #HearMeToo @AMB_A_Mohammed @Wwangechi_leah @kaeldenise @Antoniawanjiku @WomensRunKE @GenderInKenya @NaisolaL @FinnishEmbNBO pic.twitter.com/ZKhxUQnHJH
— CREAW Kenya (@CREAWKenya) November 25, 2018
Amina said that women will not accept to be called slay queens saying that they are Kenyan citizens and should be seen as that.
People all around the world have been called upon us to stand in solidarity with survivors, survivor advocates and women’s human rights defenders who are working to prevent and end violence against women and girls.
According to reports from the UN, more than a third of women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Furthermore, research indicates that the cost of violence against women could amount annually to around 2 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) which is equivalent to 1.5 trillion dollars.
Ending violence against women and girls is not a short-term endeavour. It requires coordinated and sustained efforts from all of us. Showing that these efforts yield results is the best tribute to survivors and the survivor advocates and women’s human rights defenders that we are celebrating today.
This Sunday is the International Day to End Violence against Women, kicking off the #16Days of activism to end gender-based violence. We must all speak out and take action. https://t.co/3W4M1TaLEA #HearMeToo pic.twitter.com/AZhr9uec4k
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 25, 2018
Do you know someone who has been a victim of violence? Either sexual, physical or emotion?
You can wear orange this week to stand in solidarity with them and many other victims or survivors of gender based violence.