Day 14 – 16 Days of Activism: Strengthening Community and Survivor Support 🤝🏘️
“On Day 14 of the 16 Days of Activism, we shine a light on the vital role communities play in preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Violence against women and girls is not inevitable—it is a result of harmful societal norms, unequal power dynamics, and entrenched gender biases. These conditions can and must be challenged, and it is the collective responsibility of every individual, institution, and community to take action.
The Ethiopian Network of Women Shelters (ENWS) continues to strengthen shelters and community-based support systems across Ethiopia. ENWS ensures that survivors have access not only to safe spaces but also to holistic care, including psycho-social support, legal advocacy, medical assistance, educational and vocational opportunities, and economic empowerment programs. By empowering survivors, ENWS enables them to reclaim their lives with dignity, resilience, and confidence.
ENWS also recognizes that sustainable change comes from community engagement. When communities are informed, involved, and empowered, they become active partners in creating safer environments, challenging harmful practices, and supporting survivors to reintegrate successfully. Local leaders, social service providers, families, and institutions all play a critical role in this ecosystem of protection and empowerment.
On this 14th day of activism, ENWS calls on all stakeholders to stand in solidarity with survivors, speak out against abuse, and advocate for gender equality at every level of society. Every conversation, every referral, every act of support contributes to building an Ethiopia where GBV is not tolerated, where justice prevails, and where women and girls can thrive in safety, dignity, and opportunity. Together, we can transform societal norms, strengthen community resilience, and create a future free from gender-based violence.”
#16DaysOfActivism, #Day14, #EndGBV, #ENWS, #SafeSpaces, #SupportSurvivors, #GenderEquality, #WomenEmpowerment, #CommunityAction, #Ethiopia
