Advocates across the globe have emphasized the critical importance of intersectionality, solidarity, and systemic change to address gender-based violence (GBV) and related forms of oppression.
During an online engagement organized by GAMA, activists highlighted the significance of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence(November 25–December 10) as a vital platform for reflection and action.
Intersectionality underscores the fact that GBV cannot be disentangled from other forms of oppression, including those based on disability, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Benedicta Oyedayo Oyewole of the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region pointed out the multifaceted nature of GBV, stating, “The intersection of ageism, sexism, and systemic exclusion exacerbates vulnerabilities.”
In Africa, anti-rights movements are on the rise, with patriarchal politics and cultural forces undermining the progress achieved by feminist movements. Oyewole called for cross-movement solidarity, bringing together disability justice, feminist, LGBTQI+, and women’s rights groups to combat homophobia and regressive legislation in countries such as Uganda and Ghana.
She emphasized, “None of us are free until all of us are free,” advocating for disability rights, gender equality, and the elimination of GBV as non-negotiable human rights.
Stephanie Musho, a Kenyan lawyer and Regional Coordinator of Catalysts Africa, described the systemic challenges in Kenya, where femicide remains prevalent but unrecognized by authorities.
She criticized policies like the 2023 Family Promotion and Protection Policy, which stigmatizes divorce and pressures women to stay in abusive marriages. Musho also raised concerns about global anti-rights organizations, such as CitizenGO and Family Watch International, which use local networks to push regressive agendas.
“Human rights are indivisible,” Musho stressed. “We cannot cherry-pick them like a buffet.” She warned of the potential resurgence of the U.S. Global Gag Rule under Donald Trump’s re-election, restricting funding for organizations linked to abortion-related activities. Musho described the Geneva Consensus Declaration, endorsed by nearly 40 UN member states, as a facade for anti-rights rhetoric under the guise of “family values.”
Abia Akram, a prominent disability rights advocate, highlighted the disproportionate violence experienced by women with disabilities, who face GBV at four times the rate of their non-disabled counterparts. She pointed to barriers such as inaccessible crisis centers and inadequate policy frameworks, calling for systemic reforms and grassroots involvement.
“As we commemorate the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, we are talking about a very huge and challenging agenda. The sustainable development goals are not on track and there are lot of challenges faced by diversified groups at the grassroots, regional as well as at the global level, especially around gender-based violence and sexual harassment of women and girls with disability.
It has taken us two decades to reach this point where we are talking about the human rights perspective, implementation of the sustainable development goals, implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and interlinking it with other Conventions.
Women and girls with disabilities face 4-times greater gender-based violence and sexual harassment as compared to other women and girls. Recent research done by us indicated that even family members and care support workers are perpetrators of gender-based violence when it comes to women with disability. Another challenge that women and girls with disabilities, with all their diversities, face is in climate change related humanitarian responses (like floods).
Persons with disability comprise 10-15% of the total population, and 50% of them are women and girls with disability and more than 80% are from the Global South.
“Solidarity and development justice require creating equal opportunities for all, including women with disabilities,” Akram emphasized.
In Asia, anti-rights movements have gained traction, exploiting narratives about “family values” and declining fertility rates to challenge sexual and reproductive health rights. Debanjana Choudhuri, Executive Director of the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights, urged unified action to counter these movements. She emphasized the importance of inclusive language, cross-sector collaboration, and sustained advocacy to defend and expand human rights.
The consensus from activists is clear: tackling GBV necessitates dismantling systemic inequalities rooted in patriarchy, ableism, and economic disparity. This year’s 16 Days of Activism reinforces the urgent need for intersectional approaches and collective action to create a world where human rights are protected and celebrated universally.
To watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOZwPXmOiW8