Stakeholders urged to join hands to prevent gender-based violence

Addis Ababa, November 28, 2023 (FBC) – Consortium of Reproductive Health Associations (CORHA) in partnership with UNFPA and Share Net Ethiopia organize a high level Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence on Tuesday marking the White Ribbon Day 2023.

In her opening remarks, Senior Advisor for State Minister for the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Zebidar Bogale, called on all stakeholders to work jointly with the community to end gender based violence in Ethiopia.

She said that Ethiopia started the 16 days activism campaign aimed at creating public awareness towards ending gender-based violence and ensuring all the necessary support to the victims in the country.

GBV is the highest form of human rights violation that is causing serious social problems in the country, adding that the government is working with various local and international stakeholders to address the problem.

UNFPA Ethiopia Country Representative, Koffi Kouame, stated that prevention of gender based violence is at the core of agency’s agenda. He said that UNFPA is working in collaboration with the government of Ethiopia in supporting the efforts to end GBV and facilitating rehabilitation works for victims.

Head of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, Mario Fanjul, for his part, reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to continue collaboration with Ethiopia in addressing GBV issues.

Representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association and media professionals have participated in the high level dialoge.

A panel discussion highlighting the complicated impacts of GBV in Ethiopian communities and measures to be taken to address the issue in a coordinated manner was held as part of the event.