Calls for increased, sustained funding for organisations working to end violence against women and girls are at the heart of this year’s 16 days of activism against gender-based abuse.

At the UN’s official launch of the annual campaign, where attendees draped themselves in scarves of orange – the colour the UN has chosen to mark action against violence – the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said governments needed to step up their support of women’s movements and civil society groups to address what is a human rights violation, a health concern and a major obstacle to development.

It is estimated that one woman in every three will be sexually or physically abused in her lifetime. In some countries, 40-70% of murdered women are killed by their partner, said Ban, statistics that “almost defy belief”.

“What is even harder to understand is why. Why men prey on women and girls; why societies shame the victims, why governments fail to punish deadly crimes, why the world denies itself the fruits of women’s full participation,” said Ban. “The world cannot afford to pay this price.”

The executive director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, added that tighter laws to protect women were needed, along with improved implementation of legislation. “The price of no change is much higher, and unacceptable,” she said.

While bilateral funding for gender equality programmes from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries has more than quadrupled since 2002 – from $8bn (£6.4bn) in 2002 to $35.5bn in 2014 – just 8% of the $9.8bn that went to civil society groups reached grassroots organisations in poorer countries, and just a fraction of that went to female-led organisations. The Association for Women’s Rights in Development estimated the average annual income for women’s rights groups to be $20,000.

The 16 days of activism against gender-based violence begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Friday and ends on Human Rights Day on 10 December. If you’re taking part, we’d like to hear from you.

Will you be campaigning for more money for women’s groups? Petitioning your local leaders for action to end violence in your neighbourhood or country? Turning your local area orange? Or taking part in other ways? Tell us what has inspired you to take part.



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