Today, we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It highlights the urgency to stop violence against women now! Gender-based violence is a deep-rooted structural issue and requires efforts on all levels to be eradicated. It arises from an imbalance in power between women, men, and gender-nonconforming individuals. GBV happens all over the world in all areas of society. It also is strongly interconnected with substance use. Therefore, GBV needs more awareness, advocacy, integration into policy, increase of measures, as well as services for victims. Only together we can change, support victims, and stop generational societal toxicity. The next 16 days will be in light of this urgency and showcase that this global issue needs attention every single day of the year.

The Gender Working Group of WFAD has published a statement to commemorate today and highlight the urgency. It includes facts on GBV and recommendations to eliminate it. Read the full statement here