Staff Writer
UN Women Country Representative, Ms. Fatou Lo says the state of funding for the prevention of gender-based violence reveals that GBV, an issue of alarming proportions and a pervasive violation of the human rights of women and girls, garners only 0.2% of global aid and development funding.
Speaking at Achievements, Gains & Areas of Work for Creating the Enabling Environment for the Advancement of Gender Equality, Women’s Right & Empowerment in Harare,Ms. Fatou Lo said solutions are known, but the investments in gender equality and ending GBV need to be increased.
“This means as the world marks the halfway point to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we must see the urgency to end violence against women and girls, which is a key driver of gender inequalities.
“The strong message being disseminated during this year’s 16 Days of Activism is that we need to activate public support and to persuade Governments, the Private Sector, Development Partners among others to invest in gender equality initiatives, in the women’s movements and in prevention to eradicate violence against women and girls,” she said.
“Indeed, it will take a whole of government and a whole of society approach to mobilize the $360 billion per annum, required to achieve SDG 5, globally.”
At the national level in Zimbabwe, she said, the Spotlight Initiative had demonstrated what can be done with an investment of $30 million which was received from the European Union and which complemented the efforts of the government.
The Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative was launched in June 2019, some 200 people were present, the majority of whom had been consulted and involved in various ways in the design of the Country Programme.
The launch of the Initiative was filled with a spirit of ownership and a spirit of Hope.
The event was convened within the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. Under the umbrella theme “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls”.
About Author
