One in three women around the world experience gender-based violence (GBV). At THRIVEGulu, we believe that community outreach efforts empower women to speak about the issues that affect them. Each year, we proudly organize the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence as one of our local global empowerment events to eliminate GBV in northern Uganda. The 16 Days of Activism campaign began in 1991, originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute and the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. Awareness is growing thanks in part to global advocates and local efforts around the world.
As part of the 16 Days of Activism, THRIVEGulu staff and beneficiaries both represented and presented at the event on Friday. The local theme is “Let Girls Be Girls: Books Before Babies” in which our GBV monitors and beneficiaries performed a skit. THRIVEGulu’s efforts in GBV awareness includes both prevention and response. Our presenters did an amazing job of demonstrating both efforts with locally relatable situations, including child marriage and labor for girls.
Survivors of GBV carry with them the trauma of violence they suffered. Sometimes this trauma takes the form of a physical reminder (scars, permanent damage to reproductive organs, a child born of rape), but it always takes the form of invisible wounds – mental distress, including PTSD. THRIVE’s Counseling Team is always on hand to provide the mental health counseling required to help GBV survivors thrive again.
On December 1st, we will be joining our global advocates to bring awareness about gender-based violence against people living with HIV/AIDS. The 16 Days of Activism will conclude on International Human Rights Day, December 10th.
The time for change is here and now. We hope you will join us.
