WUNRN
TAKING THE FIGHT AGAINST GENDER
VIOLENCE TO NEW HEIGHTS:
THE MT. KILIMANJARO CLIMB - 70
ACTIVISTS
, eached the summit of
On
9 March, 70 intrepid, exhausted activists reached the base of
The
challenging five-day summit climb was organized as part of the Africa UNiTE to
End Violence against Women Campaign, supported by UN Women, UN country teams in
“ I
never thought I would make it, but it is possible to achieve the impossible,”
said Rumbidzai Adebayo, a senior official from the African Union, who had both
joined the climb and promised to advocate within the African Union so that
member states understand the importance of ratifying human rights instruments
that promote women’s rights.
“Abuse
against women is so pervasive, we have to do something dramatic to raise
awareness to a whole new level,” said Rosie Motene, a participating South
African actress. Climb organizer Tim Challen, Founder of the Kilimanjaro
Initiative and Business Development Manager at the United Nations Federal
Credit Union (UNFCU), added, “
“This
climb has literally brought the fight against gender violence to new heights,”
said Michael J. Connery, Jr., president/CEO of UNFCU, a climb sponsor. “There
was a great sense of determination on the mountain, and may this be a strong
sign of the progress to come.”
It
is estimated that between 13 – 45 per cent of women suffer assault by intimate
partners during their lifetimes in
Among
these, the Government of Tanzania pledged to review and reform laws (such as
the Marriage Act and Inheritance Act), and take practical measures to improve
access to justice, such as setting up gender desks in district police stations
and referral hospitals, and dedicating resources for gender-sensitive judicial
and security sector reform. The Kenyan Government reaffirmed its commitment to
passing the Family Protection Bill and other legislation to end impunity, and
to make justice accessible for women by providing free legal and specialized
services. Representatives of the Government of Ghana committed to research the
prevalence and patterns of violence against women since the passing of its
domestic violence law in 2007; and to provide shelters for survivors of
violence in all regions. The Namibian Government pledged to improve legislation
and policies, and to improve the collection and use of forensic evidence to
prosecute perpetrators of gender-based violence.
A
myriad of social mobilization and awareness raising initiatives took the
message farther throughout the region during the week of the climb, from youth
leadership forums to free legal clinics. The spirit of the endeavor was kept
alive elsewhere in Africa through solidarity climbs, walks and runs in
Speaking
at the ceremony at the completion of climb, UN Women Regional Director for