16 Days of Activism

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RUFFO and OHCHR Partner to Tackle GBV During 16 Days of Activism in Tanzania

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a serious issue affecting millions of people worldwide, particularly women and girls. In Tanzania, GBV is a significant problem, with a high number of reported cases each year.

According to a 2017 study by the Tanzania Health and Demographic Survey, more than one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. These statistics are alarming, and it is vital to take action to combat this issue.

In response, RUFFO partnered with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to launch an online campaign aimed at raising awareness about GBV in Tanzania during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The campaign took place between November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and December 10th (International Human Rights Day).

The 16 Days of Activism aims to mobilize communities and raise awareness about GBV, its causes, and the measures to be taken to prevent it. The campaign aims to empower individuals and communities to take action to end GBV, promote respect, and support gender equality.

The focus of this year's campaign was on the youth, who are particularly vulnerable to GBV, especially online GBV. RUFFO created a series of videos and posters to educate and raise awareness on the issue. The content highlighted various forms of GBV, such as Intimate Partner Violence and Workplace GBV, but also focused on types of online GBV, such as cyberbullying, non-consensual distribution of intimate images, and harassment on social media platforms. The campaign aimed to empower young people to recognize the signs of GBV and speak out against it.

This initiative aligns with Tanzania's National Policy of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children, which recognizes the importance of addressing GBV to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The campaign contributes to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, and SDG 16, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.