As we delve into the heart of the 16 Days of Activism, our focus resonates with the powerful theme: "Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls." This year's theme aligns seamlessly with the 2024 priority theme of the Commission on the Status of Women, emphasizing the urgency to accelerate gender equality and empower all women and girls by addressing poverty, strengthening institutions, and incorporating a gender perspective into financing.

At FilmAid Kenya, our commitment to this cause is unwavering, as we implement projects tailored to address the myriad factors impacting violence against women and girls. Our primary audience, individuals living in displacement areas (Refugees and Asylum Seekers), faces unique challenges influenced by aid dependency. Despite these constraints, we witness remarkable examples of resilience through creative and innovative coping mechanisms within the restrictions of displacement.

Women and girls, being key targets of our interventions, showcase ingenuity, commitment, determination, empathy, and resilience in the face of adversity. However, they also encounter various challenges, including chauvinism, abuse, violence, neglect, and exclusion from decision-making processes. Addressing issues such as self-doubt, low self-esteem, fear of stigma, intimidation, and limited education is crucial to fostering their full participation.

Our outreach extends to male audiences, recognizing them as imperative allies. Male champions play a pivotal role in challenging societal norms that perpetuate violence and exclusion of women and girls. Examples of fathers advocating for a safer environment for their daughters and male youth contributing to the care and safety of female family members serve as inspiring models.

In addition, our secondary audience, stakeholders in positions of power, holds a significant role in facilitating meaningful dialogue and creating opportunities for women and girls to excel alongside men and boys.

Call to Action

• Amplify Young Voices: Empower young feminists and youth organizations to lead the way for a safer future.

• Invest in Prevention, Not Reaction: Finance prevention strategies to halt violence before it starts, recognizing prevention as the key to lasting change.

• United for Change: From governments to businesses, media, and the UN, let us unite and say NO to violence against women and girls.

• Everyone's Responsibility: Violence prevention is a collective responsibility. Every sector of society must step up and play a role.

• Change Begins with Us: Challenge outdated norms and weak enforcement to create a safer world for all.

 Thank you for your ongoing support in creating a world free from violence. Together, let's empower voices, invest in prevention, and unite for lasting change.

We at FilmAid Kenya believe that the 16 DoA only serves to remind us about our responsibility in safeguarding the rights of women and young girls. As always, we will not tire of informing, engaging, and inspiring community members about this responsibility!