Around the world and through the decades, we have all shared in the global struggle for gender equality.
Regardless of our age, country, background or gender, the fight for equal rights has collectively defined our lives and we must take action together to achieve it.
This International Women’s Day, UN Women’s multi-generational campaign, Generation Equality, brings together past and present advocates to demand gender equality in this generation.
The theme for IWD 2020 is #EachforEqual, recognising all of the actions we can take as individuals to challenge stereotypes, fight prejudice and celebrate women’s achievements.
The Generation Equality campaign is bringing together people of every gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and country, to drive actions that will create the gender-equal world we all deserve.
This campaign aims at challenging gender norms around the world, empowering everyone regardless of gender, celebrating diversity, breaking stereotypes, rejecting the binary and taking action now.
We are in a fast-moving world where societal norms are changing to meet up with cross-cutting issues. Hence, absurd and barbaric norms which enslave women and/or children in general should be set aside. This should give way for gender equality; that is, “each for equal”. There should be technology advancement and innovations to achieve this aim. Neglect of this issue could bring about a backward and regressive society. Therefore all hands should be on deck to nip in the bud gender inequality and other related issues.
Women are needed in every sustainable society as a society cannot exist without them. A society that gives little or no regard for women are on the road to doom. Their rights should therefore be protected to prevent crisis.
Advocating for gender equality helps prevent violence against women, girls and boys ultimately making our communities safer and healthy. Every day that we fail to deliver gender equality, we pay the price. It is no news that one in three women and girls worldwide experience physical and sexual violence in their lifetime.
This disheartening situation has caused many to live below their potentials, suffer pains, sicknesses, death, and consequently affected the world at large.
There is therefore need for protection of every child. The greater percentage of persons abused are those abused as a child.
For sanity of the environment, progress and advancement, there should be proper safety and justice for women and children all over the world. The reason for this cannot be overemphasized. The rate at which children are being abused worldwide is so alarming. According to the UN in Fiji, a country in the South Pacific, the figure has increased to two in three children. This despicable act must be stopped. Children everywhere, whether male or female, black or white, irrespective of the religion or tribe should not be discriminated against or abused in whatever form.
Abuse in all its forms are a daily reality for many Nigerian children and only a fraction ever receive help. Six out of every 10 children experience some form of violence – one in four girls and 10 per cent of boys have been victims of sexual violence.
Sexual abuse in all its forms must be stopped and the offenders punished. It is the responsibility of all to protect the child from the perpetrators of sexual abuse. Children are vulnerable and can be abused if proper care isn’t given to them.
Here at Cece Yara Foundation, one stop response is given to children who are being abused or at risk of being abused.
There exists an urgent need to challenge the social prejudices and institutional structures in order to protect women and men from any form of violence and discrimination limiting their opportunity and potential to development. The time to take action is now because when we empower a woman, we are empowering generation unborn.
Grace Ketefe
Executive Director
Cece Yara Foundation
www.ceceyara.org.
