‘Orange the World’
16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence starts
THIS year we commemorate 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (November 25 –– December 10) under the global theme, “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”
November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and with the support of community media platforms, femLINKpacific Media Initiatives for Women continue to be dedicated to amplifying women’s peace and security priorities as found in the UNSCR 1325 and 2242.
As the young women producers and broadcasters team say, “community media exists so women can utilise community media as a platform to voice their concerns and share recommendations”.
With a vibrant network of more than 700 rural women in Fiji and partners in Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, women’s lived realities and narratives have been amplified on various media platforms outlining their gender equality and social inclusion, political participation and peace security priorities.
We acknowledge the ongoing efforts in resourcing CSOs and partner organisations that do EVAWG work in the region however it’s been a challenging year navigating increasing rates of violence against women and girls in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 health crisis has only further aggravated the lived realities of women and girls along with many vulnerable groups including women living with disabilities, LGT minority groups and the elderly, pregnant women.
Globally, reports are highlighting the dire situations of victims and survivors forced to stay in the same homes as their abusers, and the heightened exposure they face at the hands of the abusers.
The restriction of movement means that important services such as victim support and law enforcement may not reach the victims in time.
Addressing this “double” pandemic will require more strategic investment, poignant leadership and urgent action by all partners including government machineries, the civil society network, law enforcement and legal systems.
We know that rural women living in rural, remote, isolated and maritime zones often encounter issues with accessing services and resources. In such locations, telecommunications can be challenging particularly for face to face modalities so navigating these spaces can be challenging.
Each barrier is integrally linked to the other as these barriers are also systematic and institutional. For example, patriarchal systems that discriminate against women’s representation and engagement have become a fixture in most systems and mechanisms long impacting generations of women and young women from accessing basic services and resources such as education, paid employment, employment promotions, basic financial literacy and business opportunities.
To create greater women’s agency and community mobilisation, advocacy and information sharing in addressing these interlinking barriers can be compounded through robust community driven solutions that encourage women’s ownership and meaningful engagement.