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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
