November 26 – 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

As we continue the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), today’s focus is on deepening understanding of what GBV is, how it affects individuals and communities, and why raising awareness is critical in preventing violence and supporting survivors.

Gender-Based Violence is one of the most pervasive human rights violations, affecting millions of women and girls across Ethiopia and around the world. Yet, many forms of GBV remain unreported, misunderstood, or normalized due to societal silence, stigma, and lack of awareness. Breaking this silence starts with knowledge.

Understanding the Types of GBV

GBV can take many forms. Today’s campaign highlights four major categories:

1. Physical Violence

Includes hitting, beating, slapping, burning, strangling, or the use of weapons.
It often results in visible injuries, but its impact goes far beyond the physical harm.

2. Psychological and Emotional Violence

This includes threats, intimidation, insults, humiliation, constant monitoring, and controlling behaviors.
Though invisible, its impact can be long-lasting, leading to depression, anxiety, and trauma.

3. Economic Violence

Occurs when an abuser controls access to financial resources, denying employment, confiscating income, restricting mobility, or creating dependency.
Economic abuse traps survivors in cycles of vulnerability.

4. Digital Violence

A growing form of abuse that includes cyberbullying, online harassment, non-consensual sharing of images, and digital stalking.
As technology expands, so does the need for digital safety and protection.

Why Awareness Matters

Awareness is the first step to prevention. When communities understand the signs, forms, and impact of GBV, they are more likely to:

Recognize abusive behavior early

Support survivors with compassion

Report incidents and encourage others to seek help

Challenge harmful norms and power imbalances

Hold perpetrators accountable

Promote safe homes, workplaces, and online spaces

Ending GBV requires collective responsibility—families, communities, institutions, and individuals all play a role.

Survivor-Centered Messaging

Today, we honor and stand with survivors.
A survivor-centered approach ensures:

Respect – honoring each survivor’s dignity and experience

Confidentiality – protecting privacy at every stage

Safety – prioritizing the survivor’s emotional and physical wellbeing

Empowerment – giving survivors the right to make informed decisions about their own lives

Every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and supported without judgment.

As part of today’s activity

📢 We invite the public to join our “Share to Raise Awareness” Challenge:
Share today’s key message on your platforms and help amplify the call to end GBV.

Your voice can help save a life.

Join the Movement

The 16 Days of Activism is a powerful reminder that change begins with awareness and grows through action.
Let us work together to build a society where women and girls are safe, respected, and empowered in every space.