L'Initiative - Expertise France’s Post

Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we confront a devastating reality that affects millions worldwide. Every day, women and girls face physical, emotional, and systemic violence that threatens not only their safety but their fundamental right to live with dignity and autonomy. These aren't just statistics – they represent mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, and colleagues whose lives are forever altered by violence. At Diverse Health Initiative, we recognize gender-based violence as a critical public health crisis that demands immediate and sustained action. Through our work, we have witnessed both the devastating health impacts of violence and the remarkable resilience of survivors. We're committed to breaking the cycle of violence by providing comprehensive healthcare support, advocating for stronger protective policies, and fostering communities where women can thrive without fear. Change begins with acknowledgment, but it must not end there. We call on our community to move beyond awareness to action. Support local women's shelters, amplify survivors' voices, and challenge the cultural norms that perpetuate violence. Healthcare providers must recognize the signs of abuse and create safe spaces for disclosure and support. Policymakers must strengthen legal protections and ensure accessible resources for survivors. Join us in building a future where violence against women is not just condemned but eliminated. Together, we can create communities where every woman feels safe, valued, and empowered. The time for change is now – stand with us in this crucial fight for human rights and dignity. #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #16DaysOfActivism #WomensSafety #GenderEquality #PublicHealth

And violence is not only physical violence.

Violence against women and girls remains the most pervasive and pressing human rights issue in the world today. It is both an abhorrent crime and a public health emergency, with far-reaching consequences for millions of women and girls in every corner of the globe. But violence against women is not inevitable —and change is possible. Everyone has a role to play, from policymakers and judges to health workers, educators, parents and beyond. Join UN Women in the fight to end gender-based violence by breaking the silence, speaking up, supporting victims and demanding justice. https://lnkd.in/gr6KBWk

Building safe culture and organizations can also be an area of support for gender based violence victims. Workplace violence is still an area of concern. #Letsbuildbetterbusiness

💯 We're with the United Nations in working to end violence against women and girls, in particular gender-based violence on and through digital communication technologies, which is arguably the most pervasive human rights violation on the internet. Together with the World Council of Churches we're taking action for gender justice online — to stop tech-facilitated gender-based violence. This Thursday we'll be introducing social media monitoring as a tool that anyone can learn to use to raise awareness, gather evidence, and help create an equal and safe online space for all. Please join us!   🪧 Tools For You: Overcoming Gender-Based Violence Online 📅 12 September ⏰ 14:00-15:00 UTC+2 (Geneva) 🔗 Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gntzndnj #StopTFGBV #GenderJustDigital #GenderJustice #DigitalJustice #NoExcuse #SocialMediaMonitoring #SocialMediaWatcher #CommunicationRights #SafeInternet #EndCyberGBV #Webinar

Despite its prevalence, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains a largely hidden and stigmatized issue in the South Asian community. This eye-opening article is an insightful analysis of how stigma and patriarchal structures shield abusers while silencing survivors. From societal expectations to healthcare barriers, how South Asian women are often denied the support and care they desperately need.  It's time to break the cycle and amplify the voices of those silenced by IPV. Read more to understand the urgency of addressing this pressing issue. #maitribayarea #EndIPV #BreakTheSilence #SouthAsianCommunities

Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to plague our society, leaving countless women and children vulnerable and afraid. The recent findings highlighted in the Daily Maverick article are both alarming and a call to urgent action. Despite the shocking statistics, the question remains: *Will the government finally take decisive steps to address this crisis? At this critical moment, we must demand accountability and mobilize all sectors of society to prioritize the safety and dignity of every individual. Solutions require more than words—they demand resources, enforcement of laws, support for survivors, and preventative education to address the roots of this violence. As we reflect on these findings, let’s also consider how each of us can contribute to creating a safer, more just society. Whether through advocacy, community support, or systemic change, every effort counts. We cannot allow these findings to be just another report—we must ensure they ignite action. Read the full article (https://lnkd.in/dHCpdizB) and join the conversation on how we can collectively end GBV. #EndGBV #SocialChange #HumanRights #SafetyForAll

This important report, hot off the press as of April 2024 by Population Institute, highlights practices that many people don't even realize are happening in the United States - child marriage, FGM, and femicide. As pointed out, "A September 2022 report from the Violence Policy Center shows a 24% increase in femicide in the United States between 2014 and 2020 - And women in the United States are 28 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than women in other high-income nations. There is a dire need for early prevention strategies and awareness-building, improved surveillance and research, and preventative laws."

Despite the known intersections between violence against women and violence against children, these two fields typically work in silos. These issues often occur at the same time, and share risk factors. That's why I'm so excited to see this collaborative exercise in creating joint research priorities. It's not surprising that some of the top questions relate to defining the core elements that would make integrated programming effective, adapting existing best practices in each field to address other forms of violence, and improving collaboration and coordination through better use of evidence, a common language, and methods. Now let's get to work to answer these important questions!

The national conversation around violence against women is rightly concerned with what we can do as a society to address this ongoing problem, and how our current systems and services can adapt to better address the needs of women experiencing violence. From our work, we know that collaboration and partnership are an essential tool in addressing complex problems, and that working in this way requires adequate funding and support. We encourage governments to provide the resources needed for this important work. Read more about how services can work together to better respond to violence against women in our paper, Health justice partnership as a response to domestic and family violence: https://buff.ly/3Qopgjl