🚨 Every 10 Minutes, a Woman Loses Her Life to Violence 🚨

This is unacceptable. There’s #NoExcuse. It’s time to UNiTE to End Violence Against Women.

The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) is issuing a bold call to action, for individuals, communities, and organizations to confront the pervasive issue of gender-based violence (GBV).

In a statement marking the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Executive Director - Babafunke Fagbemi expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in violence against women. She highlighted the shocking statistics revealing that women and girls lose their lives every day to family members or intimate partners.

Fagbemi emphasized the fundamental rights of women, who make up half the world’s population. “Violence against women and girls is preventable,” she stated. “From emergencies to everyday life, comprehensive strategies must be prioritized and adequately funded. Health workers, frontline responders, and all stakeholders have critical roles to play in addressing and stopping this crisis.”

Citing the latest report from UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)—Femicide in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides—she drew attention to devastating figures:

• 60% of the nearly 85,000 women and girls killed intentionally in 2023 were murdered by their intimate partners or family members.
• This translates to an average of 140 women and girls losing their lives every day at the hands of someone they should have been able to trust.

The call is clear:

• Stronger criminal justice systems must hold perpetrators accountable.
• Increased support for survivors is essential, including access to safe and transparent reporting mechanisms.
• Comprehensive strategies are needed to combine prevention, protection, and accountability at all levels.

💬 Voices of Survivors

In the CCSI-supported video, Conversations by the Window: Speaking with Victims of GBV, Dorothy Njemanze, founder of the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), underscores the critical need for a holistic approach to supporting survivors of gender-based violence. She highlights the importance of providing comprehensive medical and mental health care, navigating complex legal processes, and addressing the financial barriers that often hinder access to justice. Her insights offer invaluable guidance for creating survivor-centered solutions.

🎥 Discover more inspiring survivor stories in the Spotlight Initiative Voices of Gender Based Violence Survivors Documentary.

Answering the Call

As the world observes the #16DaysOfActivism, this is our opportunity to renew our commitment to gender equality. With the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action approaching in 2025, it’s time to amplify our voices and demand a future free from violence.

✊ Stand for women and girls. 💬 Join the conversation. 🌍 Advocate for change.

#EndViolence #NoExcuse