Positioning the 16 days campaign from November 25th, 2015 (International Day for the elimination of violence against women) and December 10 (Human Rights day) rightfully stresses that gender based violence is an international human rights violation. In the lead up to, and during, the 16 days of activism, participants will highlight the systemic nature of gender-based violence and militarism which encourages inequality and discrimination. The 16 days campaign will focus on the intersections of gender-based violence and militarism as an effort to work toward a more equitable and peaceful world. Economic independence and transformative shifts that eliminate the current social acceptance of gender inequality and violence is necessary for an end to domestic and intimate partner violence. When ActionAid Rwanda in partnership with TUBIBE AMAHORO are preventing GBV, they promote safe, peaceful and productive families and communities. When they advocate against GBV, there is an argument in favor of happy families, peaceful communities, and a balance of power between men and women.
Women typically spend disproportionately more time on unpaid care work than men. On account of gendered social norms that view unpaid care work as a female prerogative, women across different regions, socio-economic classes and cultures spend an important part of their day on meeting the expectations of their domestic and reproductive roles. This is in addition to their paid activities, thus creating the “double burden” of work for women. How society and policy makers address issues concerning care has important implications for the achievement of gender equality: they can either expand the capabilities and choices of women and men, or confine women to traditional roles associated with femininity and motherhood. The unequal distribution of unpaid care work between women and men represents an infringement of women’s rights and also a brake on their economic empowerment.
From 25 November 2015 to 10 December 2015, Rwanda joined the world in 16 days of activism for No Violence against Women.
In order to sensitize families facing GBV on their rights and support in sensitizing others, former five (5) GBV women who had no domestic animals will be given 5 cows. This comes out in response to the extreme malnutrition that plagued more than half of the poorest community in Gitesi LRP. The aim is to ensure milk supply for nutrition, and cow manure for increased crop productivity. Without meaning to, however, supplying 5 cows to poorest people will succeed in making out of several previously malnourished citizens who have used proceeds from sale of cow milk and increased crop output to set up various businesses.
As a result, community in Gitesi LRP especially vulnerable women and men are informed and aware about existing policies and legal frameworks as well as their rights in relation to gender equality, gender based violence and women’s empowerment. Also, vulnerable women victims or survivors of GBV are receiving services including psycho-social counseling, legal, referrals and accompaniment and economic empowerment from the Action Aid financial support.
