16 Days of Activism Against GBV: Harnessing Diversity for Meaningful Change

The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign offers an opportunity to unite energy, voices, and ideas around a common goal: eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. To mark this mobilization, Speak Up Africa supported members of the Voix EssentiELLES Network in Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire last November in implementing advocacy actions aimed at promoting women’s participation in the fight against violence—whether medical, economic, physical, or sexual.

These discussion forums also highlighted the importance of private and public partnerships in combating GBV and integrating women’s and community perspectives into the health and protection sectors.

Whether through panel discussions, sports workshops, or legal advocacy initiatives, these actions reflect the richness of approaches adopted by local women leaders to address the diverse challenges encountered on the ground.

Burkina Faso: Health as a Catalyst for Women’s Empowerment

The realization of women’s rights cannot be achieved without access to healthcare. Following this philosophy, the Voix EssentiELLES Network in Burkina Faso was invited to host a session at the launch conference of the Burkina Faso Chapter of the African Women Lawyer Association last November, under the theme: « The Impact of Health on Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment. »

During this panel, Burkinabé Voix EssentiELLES members highlighted various community approaches that facilitate women’s empowerment through health interventions.

Farida Sawadogo (IES Femmes) emphasized the importance of health and wellness-focused initiatives to strengthen women’s autonomy. Toé Nadine (Association Against School Pregnancies) raised awareness about the impact of early pregnancies on young girls’ development. Nana Pauline (Association for the Support of Vulnerable Women and Children) showcased efforts to combat GBV and the challenges of supporting survivors. Maïmouna Nacro (Association of Women with Disabilities Battling in Burkina Faso – AFHBB) highlighted the specific healthcare needs of women with disabilities, often overlooked in development policies.

These discussions underscored the vital role of health as a fundamental pillar of women’s empowerment while demonstrating the transformative impact of local, women-led initiatives.

Senegal: Community Advocacy and Leadership Through Sports

During the 2024 Scientific AIDS Days, held from November 26 to 28 in Dakar, the Voix EssentiELLES Senegal Network organized two interactive panels on the links between community health and the fight against GBV. The discussions emphasized the crucial role of women and youth in prevention and advocacy, drawing from local organizations’ experiences.

Female leadership in health is not a choice—it is a necessity. With 70% of women in our organizations, we are the backbone of community action.
— Aissatou Mbaye Ndiaye, President of the CSVA

Organizations such as ABOYA, the Civil Society Monitoring, Alert, and Advocacy Committee (CSVA), and the Young Girls’ Club of Kolda shared best practices from their field activities, such as integrating reproductive health services into HIV prevention efforts and developing digital tools to improve support for GBVs survivors.

These discussions also highlighted the unexpected role of community organizations as intermediaries between youth, public authorities, and healthcare providers, reinforcing the idea that access to quality healthcare is essential for breaking cycles of stigma and violence.

Additionally, on December 7 and 8, 2024, Speak Up Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) brought together over 100 young female basketball players for a workshop combining sports and GBVs awareness.

Voix EssentiELLES leaders, including Sylvie Diack from the Young Girls’ Club of Kolda, Fatoumata Sy from the Senegalese Association for the Future of Women and Children (ASAFE), and Mbissine Ndior from the Youth Network for the Promotion of the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage (RJPAMGF/ME), shared their expertise on GBV prevention and leadership while raising awareness among young girls about the importance of consent, personal boundaries, and respect in sports.

This initiative demonstrated how basketball can serve as a powerful platform for promoting gender equality and empowerment, equipping young athletes to become champions of change in their communities.

Côte d’Ivoire: Breaking the Silence for Holistic GBVs Support

In Côte d’Ivoire, the Voix EssentiELLES Network organized a panel on the holistic support of women affected by GBVs, bringing together experts, community leaders, and institutional representatives.

The discussions revealed challenges such as limited access to psychosocial and legal services while highlighting solutions based on collaborative synergies among key stakeholders.

Panelists emphasized that holistic support goes beyond psychological assistance—it must also include social, health, and economic dimensions to help survivors rebuild their lives.

Marie Louise Yao, a gender expert, also reminded the audience that denunciation is a crucial tool in reducing GBV cases while urging local authorities and social actors to strengthen protection measures for victims.

This Voix EssentiELLES initiative, which was the culmination of a campaign carried out across several Ivorian cities, marked a significant milestone in awareness efforts in Côte d’Ivoire. It encouraged communities to take an active role in ending GBV, illustrating once again the power of mobilizing local and collective approaches to advance gender equality and protect women’s fundamental rights.

A Collective Commitment for Lasting Change

The initiatives carried out in these three countries reflect the diversity of approaches needed and the strength of collective action to end GBV. By supporting local women leaders, Speak Up Africa contributes to building societies where health, gender equality, and community well-being are priorities. These collective actions serve as a reminder that by uniting expertise, commitment, and resources, we can transform mindsets and build a more just and equitable future.