Help gender violence victims to get justice
It is that season again when the country and the whole world take time to reflect on the repercussions of endemic gender-based violence (GBV). While great achievements have been made in fighting the scourge, there is still a long way to go.
However, increased awareness about this social evil is crucial. Indeed, the campaign should be stepped up and spread widely to protect those likely to fall victim to the brutes in society. The ‘16 Days of Activism against GBV’ is an annual campaign that gives invaluable attention to the war on the menace.
A disturbing grim reality is that many parents discontinue their daughters’ education after they get defiled. It is even worse for those who get pregnant and must carry for the rest of their lives the memory of the horrendous crime. Some of the victims are minors taken advantage of by people they genuinely believed would protect them.
Girls violated also see their dreams of future careers shattered, as some drop out of school due to unwanted pregnancies. Sometimes, philanthropic organisations or civil rights groups come in handy, with support and valuable assistance.
Some parents accuse their daughters of bringing shame to their family. They often neglect the young mothers and their children, making it extremely difficult for them to return to school. They will lament about how they have wasted money on these victims. But some of the perpetrators go scot-free. Other suspects may be arrested but the prosecution often takes so long that case fatigue sets in and they are eventually set free despite having ruined the girls’ lives.
The annual campaign underscores the urgent need to tackle GBV through solutions that reflect the realities on the ground in the various families and communities. There is a need for strong and strategic partnerships between the government and NGOs and human and civil rights agencies. The most important step is to improve access to justice for the survivors to help break the cycle of violence.
