Globally, 1 in 5 girls are married or in a union before the age of 18, UNFPA

In a global campaign to protect women and young girls, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has always remained resilient about its continued programs and activism for a gender-based violence free society.

UNFPA condemns all forms of “Gender-based Violence and harmful practices like female genital mutilation, child marriage and son preference.”

It believes that one of  the causes of these “Are rooted in gender inequality.”

This situation has led to where “women and girls today have undergone female genital mutilation”  and although they all not happy about it, yet “Globally, 1 in 5 girls are married or in a union before reaching the age of 18.”

In certain countries, this alarming number doubles to nearly 40%’ as gender-based violence against women and young girls continue to rise, according to the organization.

But amid challenges, UNFPA  remain optimistic and ready to create a safe and equal environment for women and young girls.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

The United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, began the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence program on November 25.

The focus of the campaign is “to raise awareness and spark advocacy for change” and sensitise societies that “Violence against women is a violation of human rights.”

Broadly looking at increasing global concerns for human rights violations, the organization also included “Human Rights Day on 10 December“ as part of its “inspiring action to combat such violence in all its forms: child marriage, female genital mutilation, digital violence, intimate partner violence and rape, among other atrocities.”

According to UNFPA, it strives to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, wherever and whenever it occurs.

Frowned at the failure of world legal systems to protect women and young girls, UNFPA said, “In a world wracked by humanitarian crises – both natural and human made – the risk of gender-based violence increases amid the chaos and breakdown of law and order.

“For women and girls, their bodies often become battlegrounds, with rape used as a tactic to humiliate or dominate, while the support they so desperately need is thin on the ground.

The organisation also learned how alarming the situation has become “In the virtual world” and how “Digital violence takes on many nefarious forms, including trafficking and sexual exploitation that disproportionately affects women and girls.“

One of the adverse effects of such experience being that “Survivors feel fear, panic, anxiety, depression.They have suicidal thoughts. They see adverse effects on their relationships, studies, work and social lives.”

Speaking on methods and medium Gender-based Violence has been going silently, the organisation revealed that, “Perpetrators of digital violence – also known as technology-facilitated gender-based violence – largely target marginalized communities. Sometimes digital violence moves offline, threatening people’s physical safety.”

“UNFPA knows the virtual is real,” it added

It called on governments and corporate bodies to invest in the campaign to put an end to the global Gender-based Violence against women and young girls.

“With nearly one in three women and girls on the planet estimated to have been subjected to gender-based violence, we must invest far more resources and garner more political will towards eliminating such violence in all its forms.

“To that end, survivors and advocates are increasingly speaking up, sharing their stories and calling for change. And UNFPA is mobilising partners, resources and programming with the goal of making all spaces safe for women and girls, everywhere.”

The UNFPA Executive, Director Dr. Natalia Kanem, expressed her optimistic view that this campaign is possible and “Violence against women and girls is completely preventable” and will encourage more People to join the effort of the organization.

“We can stop this crisis by acting in solidarity with the growing numbers of people who are standing up and saying, ‘enough,”she also added. (3)

You may take action today by joining the struggle here