ICCEF joins 16 days of activism against gender-based violence
By Jeffrey Agbo
Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Empowerment Foundation (ICCEF) joined the world on Monday in marking the commencement of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with the theme: “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
An annual global campaign, the 16 Days Activism, was started in 1991 by participants at the first Women’s Global Institute on Women, Violence and Human Rights, organised by the Centre for Women Global Leadership, CWGL at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA.
Today the start date of the 16-day campaign is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The campaign runs till December 10th, which is International Human Rights Day and in between these dates are other significant dates such as World AIDs Day; International Women’s Human Rights Defenders Day; International Day of Persons with Disabilities etc.
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ICCEF a family foundation set up in memory of a renowned social justice crusader, human rights activist, gender advocate, justice sector reform specialist, good governance advocate, Innocent Chukwuemeka Chukwuma, who passed on in April 2021, has as its vision: An inclusive society where young people and women are positively impacting their communities and driving positive change. Such a society must be one devoid of any form of violence and discrimination against women and girls. It must be a society where the rights of women and girls are respected, promoted and protected. Violence against women and girls be it in the public or private sphere constitutes a major impediment to women and girl’s inclusiveness and active participation in societal development, according to a press release by the Executive Chair of ICCEF, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma.
“ICCEF through its five (5) programme areas which include: Youth Innovation and Technological Startups; Mentoring & Intergenerational Dialogues; Community Youth Empowerment & Education; Our Daughters Project; and Legacy Projects intentionally and deliberately identifies and partners with organizations and institutions that work to end violence against women and girls. Violence against women and girls in our society is preventable. There is an urgent need for focus and attention on prevention strategies. It is also important that perpetrators are held accountable and support services are made available and easily accessible and affordable for survivors.
“In line with the theme of this year’s 16 Days Activism which is a call for deep reflection over progress made in the almost 30 years of the Beijing Platform for Action, BFA where violence against women was listed as one of the 12 critical areas of concern, WE ARE CALLING on governments, organizations, and individuals to unite in breaking the cycle of violence. There is NO EXCUSE for violence and discrimination against women and girls. Together, we can create a future where every woman and girl lives with dignity, in safety, and several opportunities at her disposal,” the release read.
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