UN, partners undertake 16 Days of Activism Campaign

UN Women Ethiopia has partnered with the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, UN Agencies, CSOs and others for a series of successful advocacy events commemorating 16 Days of Activism Campaign with a theme “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”

The events include a high-level panel discussion on addressing the needs and priorities of “Women with Disabilities in Ethiopia”, a panel discussion with students on online violence against women and girls, a photo exhibition “Acknowledging the Commitment of Faith Based Organizations in fighting GBV “, and a high-level panel discussion “Transitional Justice and Effective Remedy for Conflict-Related GBV.”

The launch of the 16 days of Activism Campaign Against Gender Based Violence took place on  November 25, 2022  in Hawassa, Sidama Region, in the presence of H.E. Sahlework Zewdie President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ms. Nassise Chali, Minister of Tourism, Mr. Schadrack Dusabe, UN Women Ethiopia Head of Office a.i., Ms. Christina Muankuzi Kwaye Deputy Representative a.i. of UNFPA Ethiopia and heads of regional offices among others.

Opening the launch event, H.E. Sahlework Zewdie, FDRE president said, “Violence against women and girls is multifaceted. It goes beyond sexual violence and causes everlasting harm. It includes sexual harassment, degrading women and girls that subject them to live in fear. CSOs such as Association of Women in Sanctuary and Development and the Ethiopian Network of Women Shelters are doing a lot in fighting against GBV and rehabilitating survivors. We need to have more safe houses for survivors to take shelter and get rehabilitated. It is vital for all stakeholders to work together to utilize limited resources we have.”

Mr. Schadrack Dusabe, UN Women Ethiopia, Head of Office a.i. on his part said, “We can all be activists for this noble cause: To stop impunity, to end all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls. Let this activism continue not only for 16 days but throughout the year.”

The same day UN Women Ethiopia in partnership with Ethiopian Women with Disability National  Association (EWDNA), Network of Ethiopian Women Association(NEWA) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung organized a high-level panel discussion on ‘addressing the needs and priorities of women with disabilities in Ethiopia’, attended by officials including H.E Mrs. Kimia Jundi, Women Caucus Chair at the House of Peoples Representative (HoPR), Deputy Commissioner Rakeb Melese of the Ethiopia Human Rights Commission and representatives of various government institutions, development partners and civil society organizations.

Panel with students

Another event took place on 29th November was a panel discussion targeting high school students on identifying the challenges and the solutions for tackling online violence against women and girls. The panel included representatives from the Justice sector, school administration, students and a female social media influencer. UN Women Ethiopia has partnered with the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and Tamira for Social Development (TSD) for the event.

A photo exhibition "Acknowledging the Commitment of Faith Based Organizations in fighting GBV " that took place on 2nd December 2022 was organized by Royal Norwegian Embassy, Norwegian Church Aid, UN WOMEN and UNFPA and opened in the presence of His Grace Abuna Samuel, Archobishop of EOTC, Pastor Tsadiqu Abdo, Evangelical Church President, Dr Catherine Sozi, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia. The exhibition that aims to give a glimpse into the work of faith-based organizations to end HTPs and GBV, was hosted by H.E Stian Christensen Ambassador of Norway to Ethiopia.

Transitional Justice and Effective Remedy for Conflict-Related GBV

UN Women Ethiopia and Network of Ethiopian Women Associations in collaboration with Ethiopian Human Rights Commission also organized a high-level panel discussion on Transitional Justice and Effective Remedy for Conflict-Related GBV: Reflections on the Work of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce to Oversee Human Rights Violations in the Northern Ethiopia Conflict.