2023 ’16 days of activism campaign: Invest More in Preventing Violence against Women and Girls
In commemoration of the 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in 2023, FOSDA is calling on the Ministry of Finance of Ghana and other African Countries to be more involved in and increase investment into preventing violence against Women and Girls. This year, the international theme is “UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls” and it resonates with our pursuit of advancing human security especially for women and girls.
Therefore, from 25 November till 10 December, FOSDA as part of the campaign aims to inform and remind all that investment is not solely a financial endeavor; it is an investment in the very fabric of our societies, in the human security that forms the bedrock of our shared existence. To “UNiTE!” is a call to synchronize our efforts, combining our strengths to create a formidable force against the deeply rooted issues that perpetuate violence. It is a call for collaboration, understanding, and collective action.
Accordingly, in commemoration of this year’s 16 days to eliminate violence against women and girls, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, UN WOMEN and the European Union (EU) jointly developed an initiative called A.C.T (Feminist and Transformative Action, Advocacy and Coalitions) to end violence against women whose main objective is to accelerate efforts to eliminate all forms of Violence Against Women through:
- coalition building, networking, leadership and resilience of global and regional feminist women’s rights movements and
- (ii) enhanced advocacy, campaigning and policy development through multi-stakeholder partnerships and coalitions.
To this end, FOSDA participated as a stakeholder and partner with UN WOMEN, EU and many other Women’s Rights Organisations in Africa including WILDAF in Ghana as actors to accelerate efforts to end violence against women and girls at the Regional and Global levels.
“The gender snapshot 2023” by UN WOMEN and UN DESA, indicates that an additional USD 360 billion is required annually to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment across important global targets, underscoring the urgent need for tangible actions to accelerate progress towards gender equality by 2030.
It is therefore important for the Ministry of Finance in Ghana and other African counties to be more involved as a stakeholder in the implementation of National Plans of Action on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 13252) by having a committed budget for advancing gender equality and women empowerment in the country. Ghana’s Ministry of Finance in particular have not demonstrated interest and support for gender equality and women empowerment issues, and this must change.
Within these 16 days, we will campaign, we will educate and sensitize individuals and communities to amplify the voices of survivors, challenge the structures that enable violence, and invest in the creation of a world where human security is a reality for all.
“Invest to Prevent” speaks to a profound understanding that true change requires strategic allocation of resources, education, and advocacy.
Together, we unite under the banner of empowerment and investment, lighting a path towards a world where the innate dignity and security of every woman and girl are revered and protected.
Follow us, join us, and remember, let us do this together. Let us “A.C.T. to End Violence against Women (Advocacy, Coalition Building and Transformative Feminist Action to End Violence against Women)”
Organisations to tag: UN WOMEN, UN WOMEN in Ghana, European Union, UNDP, the 16 days Campaign, MoGCSP, Ministry of Finance, Plan International, Global affairs Canada, WILDAF, Ghana Employers Association