Every ten minutes, a woman loses her life at the hands of an intimate partner or family member.
This harrowing reality is highlighted in the “Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides” report by the UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
In response to this crisis, a continental media forum on combating violence against women and girls in Africa has opened in Senegal.
Organized by the Africa Media Network for Health & Environment Promotion (REMAPSEN) with support from UN Women and Fonds Français Muskoka, the forum focuses on "Respect for Human Rights and Empowerment of Girls and Women."
It seeks to mobilize the media’s role in amplifying women’s rights and dismantling one of Africa’s most pressing human rights challenges - gender-based violence.
In his opening remarks, the President of REMAPSEN, Bamba Youssouf, emphasized the critical role of the media in reversing this devastating trend.
“When borders are open, they must be open to human rights,” he declared, urging media practitioners to become advocates for dignity and care for women across the continent.
Deputy Regional Director of UN Women for West and Central Africa, Mireille Kamitatu, underscored the grim statistics: “Every ten minutes, a woman is killed by an intimate partner. Sixty percent of female homicides are committed by someone they care about.”
She described violence against women as a blatant violation of human rights and called on the media to expose these realities, champion survivors, and demand transformative action.
“No country in Africa has yet eliminated violence against women,” Kamitatu revealed, pointing to persistent practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.
“We need bold legislation, transformative political will, and determined actions to end impunity and dismantle harmful societal norms,” she urged.
The forum, which coincides with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, has brought together 65 participants, including journalists, advocates, and policymakers.
Through collaborative sessions, they aim to craft actionable strategies to challenge narratives that normalise abuse, amplify survivor voices, and promote inclusive policies that protect women’s rights.
Representing Senegal’s Minister of Family and Solidarity, Oumar Sanab reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing gender inequality and violence.
“Transforming mentalities is key. This is not just a fight for women; it is a fight for the future of our continent,” he said.
As discussions unfold, the forum holds the promise of sparking bold, collaborative actions that will ensure women and girls across Africa are no longer silenced, but empowered to thrive in societies that respect their dignity and rights.
Latest Stories
-
I’ll fix the economy to create jobs and bring down the cost of living – Alan assures Ghanaians
2 mins -
December 7 is our chance to reset Ghana – Mahama to Ghanaians
10 mins -
Vote for Bawumia and witness Ghana’s progress – Kufuor to Ghanaians
15 mins -
Damongo set for landslide victory for me and the NPP – Abu Jinapor declares
21 mins -
Bawumia won’t let you down; vote for him – Samira to Ghanaians
28 mins -
Vote for Bawumia to safeguard Ghana’s future – NAPO
32 mins -
We’ll protect votes and resist any attempts to steal them – Mahama
34 mins -
Saturday’s election is a choice between today’s Ghana and the future we want – Mahama
36 mins -
Mahama’s experience is one of failure – Akufo-Addo
42 mins -
Mahama’s hostility towards Free SHS has been consistent – Akufo-Addo insists
45 mins -
Richard Ahiagbah calls on Ghanaians to protect electoral integrity
59 mins -
Don’t make a mistake for Bawumia to win on Saturday – Fifi Kwetey to Ghanaians
1 hour -
Bawumia well-prepared to lead Ghana now – Akufo-Addo to Ghanaians
1 hour -
There will be no violence from the camp of the NDC – Mustapha Gbande
1 hour -
Election 2024: Do not to be intimated by men in uniforms and guns – Gbande to NDC supporters
1 hour