Authors: Léa Gombert & Sabrina NelsonLéa Gombert is a first year student majoring in Strategic Management at Desautels. She aspires to remodel the business industry into a more sustainable and socially responsible field. Apart from that, she is very interested in human rights, literature of all sort and fashion. Sabrina Nelson is a first year student pursuing a major in political science and a double minor in international development and World Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies. Her interests include human rights and social justice issues, authoritarian regimes and politics in the Middle East. What is the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women? The International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women occurs every year on November 25th and was created by the United Nations General Assembly to encourage people to take a stand against gender-based violence. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. But why is it particularly important to raise awareness on VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) this year? The United Nations explicates that in times of crisis abuse against women increases, which is clearly evident in countries like Afghanistan where the presence of multiple crises has greatly increased the risk of abuse. What is the situation/ status of women in Afghanistan right now? Since the Taliban took over Kabul, women’s lives have drastically changed. Their activities have been restricted, their rights are constantly violated and they face widespread discrimination. Women are not allowed to go to work and cannot leave their homes without a male relative. Despite this, Afghan women are still fighting for their rights and demanding equality, something they have been doing for centuries. Afghanistan ranks among the least favourable on the Gender Inequality Index and the literacy rate for women here is among the lowest in the world. Girls and women in Afghanistan are subject to violence and girls are being deprived from receiving an education. It is certain that depriving Afghan women of their rights is unacceptable and they deserve to live their lives peacefully and freely. What is UNICEF doing to help with their situation? UNICEF has had interventions in Afghanistan for the past 65 years, however, as the humanitarian crisis and conflicts increase in the country, it has expanded its help to protect women from violence over the last year. In order to improve women's life, they are trying to ensure that little girls have access to an education as qualitative as that of boys. Not only do they help reduce inequalities between genders but they also prevent child marriage which is highly prevalent in Afghanistan. According to a 2021 United Nations’ report, 28% of Afghan women between the ages 15 and 49 were married before they reached their 18th birthday. Moreover, UNICEF supports female teachers and doctors and tries more generally to develop as much as possible the implication of women in fields that remain male-dominated in the country. This diversification of genders in the workforce would be a great step forward in the fight against violence against women. Are there any policy solutions that can be implemented?
Stopping violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centred policy solutions across policing, justice, health, social sectors, and by sufficiently financing the women’s rights agenda, gender-based violence can end. Moreover, it is essential to make sure that these policies are adopted by the countries who are violating women’s rights and who are endangering their security. How can I help? McGill Students for UNICEF (MSFU) works at raising funds and awareness for a different crisis emergency fund every year. This year, Afghanistan is our emergency fund. The fundraising efforts of MSFU go directly to the central UNICEF organisation. Your donation and support truly make a difference.
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AboutThis blog features insights from MSFU members on UN-sponsored days, club events, & the emergency fund. Archives
March 2024
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