THE International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which was marked on Friday, saw the launch of the UNiTE campaign — an initiative of 16 days of activism ending on International Human Rights Day on December 10.
The World Health Organisation said that this period ‘is a moment to reflect on, renew, amplify and strategise to achieve commitments to eliminate violence against women by 2030’.
The WHO noted: ‘In every country and culture, more action is needed to ensure women in all their diversity live a life free of violence and coercion.’
Global estimates show that 30 per cent of women experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly at the hands of an intimate partner.
The WHO said it was possible to end violence against women, ‘but only if we act together’.
The campaign, led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women since 2008, aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions.
On Friday, the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone in Geneva joined the like-minded Core Group of Friends, including the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and the Democratic Repub
lic of Congo. to lead efforts to open negotiations for a new normative framework to end violence against women and girls.
Dr Lansana Gberie, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, met with the Core Group members, Shara Duncan Villalobos, Deputy Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, and Empole Efambe, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to discuss the urgency of a
new global treaty on the matter.
Sierra Leone is to play the leadership role on this issue.
‘A close examination of the existing global frameworks reveals gaps,’ Gberie said.
‘This initiative will explore how these gaps are best addressed, potentially by establishing a new binding norm and path forward in securing such an instrument.’
He said ‘Sierra Leone has been building strong institutions with expressed mandates and inherent powers to combat violence against women and girls’.
These included the ‘Hands-off our girls’ campaign launched in December 2018 by Fatima Bio, the wife of President Julius Bio, and the amended Sexual Offences Act.
‘The 2020 Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Policy, the National Gender Strategic Plan, the National Electoral Commission Strategic Plan 2020-2024, are further illustrations that the government of Sierra Leone is unequivocally committed to addressing gender discrimination, advancing gender parity and promoting gender empowerment,’ Gberie added.
He said the establishment of the Family Support Unit and the One Stop Centres had had ‘an immense impact in preventing Gender-Based Violence and responding to victims of GBV’.
The like-minded countries will spearhead the new initiative, laying the foundation for collective policy solutions, including a possible new binding instrument.
‘The Core Group plans to host a robust and open conversation with UN member states in Geneva and New York, subject matter experts and high-level officials,’ Gberie said.
‘The intent is to raise awareness and spark an active conversation and engagement between countries on the need for such a new instrument and how to secure it.
‘Violence against women and girls is the most widespread human rights violation on Earth,’ Gberie noted.
‘This violence creates a multitude of structural problems, affecting all human rights.
‘It is also rising with the advent of Covid-19, emerging conflicts, climate change and cyber violence.
‘An innovative approach is needed to address the escalating violence crisis against women and girls,’ Gberie added.
