SPECIAL MEDIA MISSION CAMPAIGN
What we do 2020 > Africa Region > COVID-19 Cameroon
" SPECIAL MEDIA MISSION CAMPAIGN"
Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a Fundamental Human Rights violation,
The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) team was live on HiTV on 7 December, 2020 in continuation of their campaign against Gender-based violence (GBV) through the media.
The team led by H.E. Bienvenu Goare, IHRC Multinational Volunteers Coordinator/Peace Ambassador and Ms. Holy Anagho Asanji IHRC National Volunteers Coordinator emphasize on the profound and widespread problem of GBV in Cameroon and Africa as a whole, impacting on almost every aspect of life.
The IHRC team drew the attention of the public to the fact that GBV (which disproportionately affects women and girls) is systemic, and deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures and traditions in Cameroon and Africa.
The team explored what GBV is and some of the forms it takes, examine GBV in Cameroon, and explored as well on what different actors are doing to respond to GBV. They emphasized on the different forms of violence, and noted that these types of violence could be and almost always are gendered in nature, because of how gendered power inequalities are entrenched in our society.
GBV can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial or structural, and can be perpetrated by intimate partners, acquaintances, strangers and institutions.
To set up, the team explained that most acts of interpersonal gender-based violence are committed by men against women, and the man perpetrating the violence is often known by the woman, such as a partner or family member.
Furthermore, the team reiterated that GBV is disproportionately directed against women and girls.
The IHRC team stressed on the fact that GBV is a profound human rights violation with major social and developmental impacts for survivors of violence, as well as their families, communities and society more broadly.
On an individual level, GBV leads to psychological trauma, and could have psychological, behavioral and physical consequences for survivors. The national coordinator drew the public attention to the fact that in many parts of Cameroon, there is poor access to formal psychosocial or even medical support, which means that many survivors are unable to access the help they need. Families and loved ones of survivors could also experience indirect trauma, and many do not know how to provide effective support.
According to the team, addressing GBV in Cameroon could be a complex issue requiring multi-faceted responses and commitment from all stakeholders, including government, civil society and other citizens.
●National Volunteers Coordinator, Mrs.Holy Anagho
(IHRC SMM,Cameroon)
CC ;
●MNVC/P.A H.E Bienvenu Goare Hiroua
●ZVC Mr.Ayuk Georges Eliot