Women’s rights organizations are essential in tackling gender-based violence and driving progress toward a more equitable and violence-free world for women and girls.
Despite the critical role of feminist activism to end violence against women, there has been a surge in anti-rights movements and backlash against women human rights defenders globally.
Here are four reasons why funding women’s organizations is essential for ending violence against women and girls.
Why funding women’s organizations prevents violence against women
Providing life-saving services to survivors
Women’s organizations play a vital role in providing services to survivors and victims of gender-based violence, which continues to be the most pervasive human rights violation worldwide, affecting at least one in three women.
Critical support services for survivors of gender-based violence include shelters, counseling, legal assistance, and hotlines. These services offer a lifeline for survivors and help them rebuild their lives.
According to a UN study, only 40 per cent of women seek help after experiencing violence, making the outreach work of women’s rights organizations even more critical. Women’s rights organizations empower women and girls to assert their rights and seek help when they experience violence. Through education, training, and community initiatives, women’s organizations build resilience and self-confidence among women, which can be key in breaking the cycle of violence.
Reducing gender-based violence
Critical role during health and humanitarian emergencies
More funds for women’s organizations urgently needed
The urgent need to fund women’s organizations fighting violence against women and girls cannot be overstated.
Women’s rights organizations serve as the frontline champions in the drive for a more equitable and violence-free world.
Many women’s rights organizations working on the ground, including those working with survivors, are also chronically underfunded with just 5 per cent of Official Development Assistance allocated to ending violence against women reaching them.
In a world where the need for gender equality and violence prevention remains urgent, governments and institutions must acknowledge, empower, and invest in the unwavering efforts of women’s organizations.
Women’s rights organizations are committed to creating a safer, more equitable, and just society for women and girls everywhere, and a brighter and more promising future for all.
