ESTHER AKPOTOWHO
Over the years various women and girl children have suffered violence. These spates of violence have ranged from domestic to sexual and physical violence. These acts are not region based but are widely practiced all over the globe. Most of the victims of violations of all kinds are most times unable to open up for fear of societal stigmatization. As such the abuses continue to skyrocket on daily basis.
Apart from these abuses and violations meted against women and the girl children, educating girl children has always been a topic of debate among some people and culture. This is due to the erroneous belief that girl children are designed to cater for the home and bear children and if they are to get any form of education, having a fair knowledge of how to read and write is able to sustain them. Allowing a girl child to pursue her dreams seems to some people even some self acclaimed literates a waste of time and resources.
Evidences abound as to the fact that women are not second class citizens. Women also have the capacity to invent, produce and contribute meaningfully to the overall well being of the society and the world in general. They have been able to prove themselves in various fields of human endeavor, so why the discrimination? This is why there has been a loud outcry and calls for the elimination of violence against women and girl children.
Down memory lane in 1981, activist at the latin America and Caribbean Feminist Encuentos marked November 25 as a day to combat and raise awareness of violence against women. On December 17 1999, the date received its official United Nations (UN) resolution.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports have shown that the level of violence against women and girls has been on the increase. This year, the UN Secretary-General’s UNITE Campaign to End Violence against women has decided to commemorate the international Day for the Elimination of violence against Women. The international Day and virtual event kick-started the global mobilization of the 16 days of Activism campaign-running from 25 November until 10 December under the theme: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, and Collect!”
We all at different levels should raise our voices and say no to violence against women and the girl child. We all have our roles to play to make the world habitable.
