THE ongoing 16 Days of Activism campaign aims at creating awareness on the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. The global and annual campaign which kicked off on November 25 and runs till December 10, is conducted under the theme "UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls” this year.

Women’s rights advocate, Angella Ilibagiza, says that this year alone 42 femicides were recorded, the youngest victim being four years old and the oldest 90. The women and girls were murdered by husbands, partners, sons, nephews and strangers.

While Rwanda has rolled out various initiatives to end Gender Based Violence (GBV), among them Isange One Stop Center and Akagoroba k’ Ababyeyi, the country is yet to win the battle.

During these 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence, a few known local shared messages:

Riderman, Artiste

If we want to build a peaceful society it should start from homes, families play a big role in contributing to a better society, free from violence. Conflict within families also leads to misbehaving of children while growing up, thus they carry that around as they get older. Families should teach their children love, respect for one another regardless of gender.

In families, boys should be taught to respect girls and vice versa, this will help them in the future as they will practice what they were taught at a young age. Let us build Rwanda free from gender-based violence.

Alyn Sano, Artiste

Gender-based violence is like a disease in society, especially among those who are uninformed about gender balance and what it really stands for, and it is with both genders. I believe spreading more awareness is essential to ending GBV.

Most people think that gender balance means putting a woman’s rights above a man’s while others think it doesn’t exist. This is why more campaigns should be conducted to create better awareness.

Jemima Kakizi, Multi-disciplinary artist

My painting titled "Not Written in Permanent Ink” curates a woman who doesn’t have free speech, scared to death to say what happened to her because society makes victims feel ashamed. This gives ‘courage’ to the abusers, and ugly history keeps repeating itself. There should be more shelters for the victims, especially those with children, to stay while they wait for help. They should be given access to information regarding gender-based violence.

Jane Uwimana, Singer

The public already knows that gender-based violence is a crime but there is another form of GBV which is sexual harassment and we need to start teaching it and mobilising the public. I believe knowledge is a huge necessity to eradicate any sort of gender-based violence.

Bertin Uwizeyimana, Actor

It is heartbreaking how some people forget that we are human beings and think that they own others. I have a message for them, you are not the darkness you endured but the light that refused to surrender. We still have a lot of domestic violence going on in our neighbourhoods and most women keep quiet with the excuse of putting their families to shame. They hurt physically, emotionally and psychologically without knowing and that affects their children too. As content creators, commit to inclusive storytelling and avoid common harmful stereotypes. The media has a big role in challenging harmful gender norms, including stereotypes that men should be inherently violent and less competent parents.

Dinah The Poet

I encourage victims of GBV to step up and show their wounds to the world so that they can heal. GVB has always been unspeakable, but that has to change. Maybe your voice can break the GBV chain. On top of self-love there is a happy life, therefore, no matter how beautiful the view is, close the window that hurts you. It doesn’t matter how others see your pain, remember you are the one carrying it so, speak up and seek help.

Divine Akimana, Poetess and author

Gender-based violence should be everyone’s priority as a broken community raises broken children leading to a broken generation. We should see GBV as a threat to the growth of families, nations and the world. Start hating it and teach your children not to abuse anyone, they will teach their children and soon we shall live in a world where we are not afraid to be who we are. I feel your pain you who has been abused and those still holding on to their abusers because they think they have nowhere to go, reminding you that your life is more expensive than the short-lived moments they give you. Let’s heal and fight together.

Henry Munyaneza, visual artist

We have always said that women are mistreated and violated globally from the past but sadly we still say the same thing today. My artwork ‘Can’t Speak’ explains how women get mocked when they try to speak. Gender-based violence should end and as a boy who was raised by a single mother, I grew up with the ambition to create awareness on gender-based violence through paintings.

Saranda Oliva Mutoni, Actress and poetess

We all have to do more to respond to the cries of justice of women and children who suffered violence. Together we can end these horrible abuses and the impunity that allows these gender-based violations to continue. With the help of law enforcement every victim of gender based violence must have confidence that when she files a police report, she will receive justice and the perpetrator will be punished. An adolescent boy in school who learns about sexuality must be taught that coercion is unacceptable.

Let us all embrace a zero-tolerance culture that says NO to gender-based violence, NO to sexual harassment, NO to sexual exploitation and abuse in any way, shape or form. Every woman and girl should live in a home where she is free from the threat of violence.

Chriss Eazy, Artiste

During the 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence I call upon the youth to avoid ignoring any sort of violation based on gender if we want a better community. Educating themselves on the root causes of violence is a solution to ending GBV, as well as development of an action plan to help us in situations where people that we know are being abusive.

Sandrine Uwimpundu, Actress

A woman is a backbone of the country’s development and she should be given wings to fly and blossom, not wings of tears and breakdown. To every woman, your future is in your hands so don’t wait for anyone’s hands; you have equal rights as men so don’t be afraid to speak.

Nel Ngabo, Artiste

During these 16 days of activism to end GBV I call upon everyone to respect one another and our differences. If we all learn that we have as much value as others, there will be no such thing as GVB. If we have the same understanding that no one is above another and give dignity to ourselves by giving it to others, this will end.