Bulletin 2015 African Union Heads of State Assembly (Jan 30-31) – on Theme of “Year of Women’s’ Empowerment & Development in Africa” – New Africa Scorecard Underlines Epidemic Levels of Gender Based Violence in 45 Countries, Undermining Development Goals

With ADOLESCENT GIRLS 15 to 19 years old – the data is even more chilling. From the countries for which data is available well over a quarter – between 25% and 83% of ADOLESCENT GIRLS 15 to 19 years old – in 41 African countries – believe that it is justifiable for men to beat their wives for the reasons outlined above.

In all 45 countries for which data is available in this category, the lowest percentage of ADOLESCENT GIRLS that now justify gender based violence is 16% (in Malawi).   The failure of majority of African governments to uphold citizenship rights, human security and human development of girls and women – leaving them exposed to epidemic levels of institutionalized gender based violence is undermining African and global development goals for Girl Child Education; HIV, Reproductive, Sexual, Maternal – and Child – Health, Cervical Cancer, and Mental Health of Women amongst other health issues – and undermining Women’s Economic Empowerment, Political Representation, and overall Poverty Reduction.   Painfully this is not a sudden problem – UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, UNAIDS, the World Health Organisation – and a wide range of gender equality, womens rights organisations and civil society amongst others have at different times drawn attention to violence against girls and women globally, and in Africa. But the time for diplomatic speak is past. We cannot wait until 99% of boys and men, girls and women – in 99% of African countries justify or accept gender based violence as normal – before we declare an emergency.   We caution that if this trend continues – It is unlikely any of the new global or African Sustainable Development Goals will be sustainably achieved if African governments fail to uphold – the basic freedom of women and girls to be free from violence, for bodily integrity – freedom of expression, association, and movement amongst other fundamental rights.   Everyday gender based violence in homes and communities – now affecting millions of women daily is a arguably now a far greater problem than even gender based violence in conflict.   Indeed sexual violence against girls and women in conflict as witnessed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, or the abduction of nearly 300 #ChibokGirls by Boko Haram in Nigeria (which gleefully announced their sale into ‘marriage’) – are manifestation’s of the epidemic normalisation of gender based violence in Africa. There is a hollow ring to celebration of unimplemented conference declarations while millions of girls and women are routinely abused, exploited, beaten, and subjected to servitude in homes and communities across Africa – without recourse to justice.   Governments have to act on law enforcement, and constitutional responsibility to protect women and girls from all forms of violence and discrimination.   Importantly, the 2015 Commemorations of 16 Days of Activism To End Violence Against Women And Girls – needs to go beyond seminars, workshops and internet chats – and mobilse women organised in professional associations, trade unions and community groups; side by side with – adolescent girls, urban poor, rural women and girls – and underage girls forced into ‘marriage’ – the latter more likely to suffer violence without redress. They must know, they are not alone.

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