From Awareness to Action: Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains one of the most widespread human rights violations worldwide, affecting women and girls across all societies, cultures, and communities. While awareness of GBV has increased over the years, awareness alone is not enough. Real change requires sustained action from individuals, communities, institutions, and governments.

GBV takes many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. Its impacts go far beyond immediate harm, often leading to long-term physical health problems, mental trauma, social exclusion, and economic instability for survivors. Families and communities are also deeply affected, making GBV not only a personal issue but a broader social and development challenge.

Moving from awareness to action begins with prevention. This includes challenging harmful social norms, promoting gender equality, and educating communities especially young people about respectful relationships and human rights. Engaging men and boys as allies is also essential in addressing the root causes of violence and transforming attitudes that perpetuate inequality.

Action also means strengthening survivor-centered responses. Survivors of GBV need access to safe shelters, medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and economic empowerment opportunities. Services must be coordinated, confidential, and respectful, ensuring that survivors are treated with dignity and supported in their recovery.

Institutions and media play a critical role in this process. Responsible reporting and well-designed media programs can inform the public, reduce stigma, and encourage survivors to seek support. When media content is carefully reviewed and ethically produced, it becomes a powerful tool for social change rather than harm.

The Ethiopian Network of Women Shelters (ENWS) calls on all stakeholders government bodies, civil society, communities, and individuals to turn awareness into meaningful action. By working together, we can prevent gender-based violence, protect survivors, and promote a society where women and girls live free from fear, harm, and discrimination. ENWS remains committed to supporting survivors, strengthening local shelters, and driving advocacy initiatives that bring real change across Ethiopia.

Ending gender-based violence requires collective commitment. Awareness opens the door, but action through policy enforcement, community engagement, and survivor-focused services is what ultimately leads to safer, more just societies for women and girls.

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