16 Days Activism on The Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls

Isiyaku Ahmed

Kano State Office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with other stakeholders joins the Nationwide 16 days activism with the theme “Orange the world: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect.”

The State Coordinator, NHRC, Shehu Abdullahi in a statement says “The activities will commence with flag off of the campaign by Her Excellency, the wife of the Executive Governor of Kano State on the 25^th November, and close with rally to mark the “International Human Rights Day” on the 10^th December, 2020”.

In between, he says the team will pay advocacy call to numerous stakeholders which include but not limited to, The Right Honorable Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, the State Chief Judge and the Honorable Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice.

According to him, each year, from 25 November to 10 December, the International Community marks the 16 days of activism on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The period is used to raise awareness on violence against women and girls, promote rights of women and girls, while also advocating and energizing action towards the ending of such violence and promote human rights culture.

Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that impacts on, and impedes progress in many areas of their lives, including poverty eradication (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2); good health (SDG 3); education (SDG 4); gender quality (SDG 5) and peace & security (SDG 16).

Abdullahi says, one of the main contributing factors to gender based violence is the deliberate misunderstanding of women and girls’ human rights, and the generalized society’s approval of cultural practices and attitudes that violate women and girls’ rights.

He calls for media support in publishing or airing the 16 days activities for public consumption.