Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is not a private matter. It is a community issue that demands collective responsibility, courage and action.
Every woman, girl, man and child deserves to live with dignity, safety, respect and equal opportunity, free from sexual violence, physical and emotional abuse, harassment, exploitation and discrimination.
Ending GBV requires us to move beyond silence and take action. This means saying no to sexual violence, rejecting physical and emotional abuse, speaking out against harassment and online abuse, challenging harmful gender norms, promoting equal rights and opportunities, supporting survivors rather than silencing them, and working together to build safe and inclusive communities for everyone.
The responsibility for ending Gender-Based Violence belongs to all of us—men and women, families, communities, institutions, civil society organisations and leaders. We must stand together to challenge the attitudes, behaviours and systems that allow violence, discrimination and inequality to continue.
Silence can allow violence to persist. Speaking up can help protect people and create pathways to accountability and support.
Let us choose equality over discrimination, respect over violence, accountability over silence, and dignity over fear.
SPEAK UP. STAND TOGETHER. END GBV.
This call to action is supported by Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation (NEW Foundation) and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD).
