Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Central African Republic: INTERSOS missions organized events and activities to raise awareness of gender equality in communities
INTERSOS joined the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence established by the United Nations to prevent and eliminate violence against girls and women. The campaign begins on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day. In support of this initiative, INTERSOS missions have organized awareness-raising activities on women’s rights, violence, and gender equality.
In Iraq, the activities targeted women and girls in the governorates of Ninewa, Salah Al Din, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah. Specifically, in the Ninewa governorate in northern Iraq, INTERSOS organized awareness-raising activities on gender-based violence, women’s rights, child marriage, and partner violence. These sessions were followed by video projections, then a plenary discussion by participants. Moreover, dignity kits, containing soap, sanitary pads, and hygiene products were distributed to women and girls. These kits help women and girls maintain self-esteem and confidence in stressful and potentially overwhelming humanitarian situations. In Kurdistan, participants also wrote messages against gender-based violence, participated in sewing sessions, and were distributed flowers and plants as a symbol of self-care. Then each of them left her handprint with orange paint, a symbol of a future without gender-based violence.
In Nigeria, to increase social inclusion, we facilitated the participation of people with disabilities in activities, which included awareness-raising campaigns and discussions on different approaches to preventing and mitigating gender-based violence in the northeastern part of the country. In addition, there were awareness-raising campaigns in schools on gender equality and reproductive health. And then there were performances, sports activities, and craft exhibitions at the Safe Space in Monguno, Borno State, with a dedicated fair to bring women closer to the world of work and create job opportunities.
In the Central African Republic, in addition to awareness-raising sessions on the causes of gender-based violence, and debates on the social inclusion of people with disabilities, the staff organized women’s football matches and radio debates in the Bozoum, Koi, and Ngouandaye regions.
In Syria, we also addressed men and boys, aiming to deconstruct conservative positions on gender-based violence. INTERSOS staff worked to explain the issue of gender discrimination, focusing especially on children to clarify the concept of gender identity and characteristics. In addition, they organized recreational activities such as painting sessions, drawing, and decoupage.
In South Sudan, INTERSOS celebrated 16 days of activism in Akobo, Lankin, and Ayod in Jonglei State, Pibor in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), Narus, and Kapoeta Town in Eastern Equatoria. Among the moments of discussion, the session on the link between gender-based violence and HIV transmission and the discussion on livelihood opportunities for women in the community had a particular impact. In addition, there were performances in youth theater clubs, football matches between INTERSOS and various community members, a dance performance, an exhibition of the work of the women of Safe Space in Akobo, and volleyball matches.