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As the world marks the 2024 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence themed “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” which holds from November 25 to December 10 annually across the globe, an Abuja-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), the FAME Foundation, has launched its Femicide Tracker designed to report and document violence against women and girls across Nigeria.
Tribune Online reports that femicide is the intentional killing of a woman or girl because of her gender. It is a universal problem and the most brutal, visible, and extreme manifestation of the cycle of gender-based violence that women and girls endure.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Director, FAME Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke, said with the launch of the tracker, the issue of femicide will be put on the spot as part of collective action to create a safer and more equitable world for women and girls while their rights are also protected.
She described gender-based violence as not just a personal or family problem but a societal crisis that has had negative impacts on communities and nations, while she expressed the commitment of her organisation to raise awareness, provide education, as well as promote community engagement to end the ugly trend.
“The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, is an annual global campaign that runs from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10th, Human Rights Day. This movement seeks to highlight the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and rally efforts to combat it.
“This year’s theme, ‘Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,’ underscores the urgency of collective action to create a safer, more equitable world. Gender-based violence is not just a person or family problem; it is a societal crisis that impacts communities and nations. We cannot afford to be silent, complacent, or divided in our efforts.
“At FAME Foundation, we remain steadfast in our commitment to raising awareness, providing education, and promoting community engagement. Today, I am proud to announce the launch of our Femicide Tracker, an important tool that allows for the reporting and documentation of femicide cases. This tool will help ensure that no case goes unnoticed, no story is silenced, and that we, as a society, can work toward justice and accountability for victims and their families.
“By utilising this tool, we aim to spotlight this pressing issue and mobilise action against the rising trend of femicide. Together, we can shed light on these tragedies and work toward a future where such violence is eradicated.
“This year, our activities are designed to amplify awareness, empower people, and engage communities. Over the next 16 days, we will host various initiatives, including online campaigns, podcasts addressing critical aspects of gender-based violence, community outreach at IDP Camp, panel discussions, social media advocacy, and conversations that challenge harmful norms. We aim to inspire action and bring this issue to the forefront of public discourse.
“We will also launch the hashtag campaign #HereForHer, a call to action for everyone to stand united against gender-based violence. This campaign serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we share to protect and empower women and girls.
“Let us remember, awareness is just the starting point. True change requires a sustained and united effort. It demands a commitment from governments to enforce laws that protect women, from civil society to create supportive environments, and from people to challenge harmful behaviours and attitudes. Together, we can build communities where women and girls not only survive but thrive, free from fear and violence,” Aderonke said.
She added, “To use the tracker, visit our website and locate the femicide report on the dashboard. The tracker contains a form that captures necessary details about a femicide case. When the form is filled and the cases are verified, they are updated on the live infographics that people, law enforcement agents, policymakers, and all other first respondents can access and utilise to advance the fight against femicide.
“We have a dedicated officer who checks these reports, and she will follow up on the complainer by calling and asking for more details about the case. Once they report to us, we can escalate it by reporting it to the appropriate authorities. This will, in the long run, end femicide in Nigeria when justice is served.”
Nearly one in three women experiences violence in their lifetime. Girls are at particular risk of violence, as 1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by their partners.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
