The Alliance For Change (AFC) has noted that our society is increasingly drifting further into a dangerous pattern of gender-based violence, particularly against women and young teenage girls. In the last several months, we have been witnessing an unhealthy increase in sexual harassment, domestic violence or other physical abuse, rape and outright misogyny. These are not the elements anyone should desire for a democratic society.
We know from worldwide studies that when women are the subject of physical violence and abuse, it results in long-term emotional and mental health pathologies and negatively impacts productivity.
A study by the United Nations shows that the gender-based phenomenon can result in unintended crises such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even self-harm are only some of the impacts of violence that survivors may face.
We have remained steadfast in our position – gender-based violence is not only a violation of individual women’s and girls’ rights but a violation of their human rights.
The impunity and lack of action by the PPP/C Administration have bolstered the perpetrators and generated fear of continued abuse among victims. This increasing trend of gender-based violence was recently on display in our National Assembly, and the failure of the PPP/C Administration to condemn its member’s action confirms the government’s position that they do not intend to enact laws to protect our women and girls.
The AFC condemns all forms of gender-based violence because it is rooted in inequality and continues to be one of our society’s most notable human rights violations.
We support a comprehensive initiative to protect women and all victims of gender-based violence, including providing a plethora of mental health and social justice remedies.
In addition, we call upon the PPP/C government to enact laws to protect our women against harassment and abuse of all kinds.
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The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year’s theme is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”
