Activism Against Gender Violence Declared by Proclamation in Liberia

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation declared Friday, November 25, through December 10, 2016, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence to be observed throughout the country as Working Holidays.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is a Global Champaign dedicated to end Gender-Based Violence and highlight other significant dates such as: November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women; November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day; December 1, World AIDS Day; December 3, International Day of Disabled Persons; December 6, Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and December 10, International Human Rights Day.

Gender inequality is prevalent and manifested by high levels of poverty, unemployment and illiteracy among youths, women and girls as well as high incidences of sexual and gender-based violence which, according to statistics, revealed that children are the most vulnerable in terms of these practices.

This year’s campaign will be celebrated under the global theme: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World – Make Education Safe for All,” while the National Theme is: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Stop Domestic Violence, End Child Marriage While Educating All.”

The Liberian leader mandates the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, being cognizant of the dates of International Day of Violence Against Women, International Human Rights Day, International Human Rights Defenders Day, World AIDS Day, International Day of Disabled Persons and the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, to jointly observe these occasions, through specially planned programs to further raise and strengthen the concepts being expressed for public consumption and participation.

She also called upon ministries, agencies, local and international organizations, the Children’s Parliament, the United Nations System and the general public to join the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in collaborating with the Gender-Based Violence Taskforce, Women Organizations, and Men’s Groups, to plan and implement appropriate programs befitting the occasion.

During the First Women’s Global Leadership Conference sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) in 1991, November 25^th was set aside to be observed each year as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 10, the International Human Rights Day, in recognition of violence against women as human rights violation and called on governments to work towards its elimination.