Gender Based Violence is a global issue that harms millions of women and girls, as well as their communities and families. It pervades all aspects of life – it exists in educational environments, the workforce, and at home.
It also undermines global peace and security and weakens the social fabric that binds families and communities together, preventing countries from achieving social stability and economic development.
According to a press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald from Geneva, on the 28th International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN and regional experts on violence against women and women’s rights call upon all States to close the gap between international and national laws on rape and sexual violence.
“We must strive to prevent and combat rape and sexual violence, to challenge the gender stereotypes and the negative attitudes and behaviors that underlie and perpetuate such violence, and to support and provide redress to women who are willing to speak up”, experts stated.
According to the report, experts said that rape is one of the most under-reported crimes, and even when it is reported it is rarely prosecuted. This is due to a number of factors including gender based stereotypes, as well as criminal justice systems which define rape based on the use of force. These present the key obstacles for needed change.
Cognizant of the above fact the FDRE Ministry on Women, Children and Youth is also celebrating this international day for 14th time at national level with different events in collaboration with every part of the society.
According to Seleshi Tadesse, Director of Women Mobilization and Participation Enhancement Directorate under the Ministry, the campaign has kicked off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
While celebrating the day under the theme at national level, Ethiopia particularly focuses on two points, Seleshi Added. First the Ministry focuses on women with special need and second working on private partners to stimulate their social responsibility in supporting women.
Additionally, the Ministry is working on creating women’s leadership pool in order to empowering them apart from preventing them against any of violence. Particularly it has prepared “one stock centers” for the victim women which help them to get impeccable service and excellent quality. They can easily access health, education, legal activities and all other services inclusively, he noted.
Adding to the point, Seleshi said that the ministry with other stakeholders is actively participating on awareness creation and capacity building activities coupled with adopting legal frame works in order to safeguarding women.
As to him, violence against women is not solely a woman’s issue. It harms each one of us. Therefore, we need to come together to end it. “The more we come together to stop violence against women, the better we become closer for peace, justice, equality and prosperity”, he stated.
In support of this civil society initiative, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE campaign) calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations, the report revealed.
In 2019, the UNiTE campaign will mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December, under the theme, “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape!”
Ethiopia has also sent its eighth periodic report on women activity for Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at Geneva.
According to CEDAW’s report sent for The Ethiopian Herald, CEDAW appreciated Ethiopia’s progress and initiatives in protecting and reducing violence against women. The Committee considered the eighth periodic report of Ethiopia (CEDAW/C/ETH/8) at its 1665th and 1666th meetings held on 21 February 2019 at Geneva.
The Committee welcomes the progress achieved in undertaking legislative reforms, particularly the adoption of Proclamation No. 1064/2017 which provides for the prohibition of sexual harassment coupled with Proclamation No. 943/2016 which covers the provision of free legal services to women who do not have sufficient resources.
It additionally acknowledges Ethiopia’s effort to improve its institutional and policy framework aimed at accelerating the elimination of discrimination against women and promoting gender equality. Adoption of National women development and change strategy, in 2017, National Reproductive Health Strategy, covering the period 2016–2020 and Gender Strategy in the education and training sector, covering the period 2014/15 are among them.
The Ethiopian Herald December7, 2019
BY HIZKEL HAILU
