Confronting the Silence on Violence Against Women and Girls
One of the most pervasive, ongoing, and severe breaches of human rights in the world today is violence against women and girls (VAWG). Behind closed doors, in communities, and across nations, violence against women and girls (VAWG) persists as a deeply entrenched epidemic. Its harrowing impact reverberates through the lives of countless individuals, yet the issue remains shrouded in silence and shame.
In general, it takes the following forms:
- Intimate partner violence (battery, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide)
- Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber-harassment)
- Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation); *
- Female genital mutilation
- Child marriage.
In conclusion, silence perpetuates violence, but by shining a light on the hidden epidemic of VAWG, we have the power to create lasting change. Together, let us break the silence, support survivors, and demand a world free from violence for all women and girls. By working collectively, we can cultivate a society where every individual is respected, protected, and empowered, leaving no one behind in our pursuit of true equality and justice.