“From Activism to Action, It Ends with Me”
Today in Belmopan, a ceremony marked the launch of the Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Spanning from November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10th, Human Rights Day, this period underscores a global commitment to combatting gender-based violence. Today’s event commenced with Ian King, the Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlighting the gravity of violence against women and girls. He described it as one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations, emphasizing how this issue disrupts peace and stability in families and communities. The Minister of State at the Ministry of Human Development, Elvia Vega-Samos, noted that the Sixteen Days of Activism was launched thirty-two years ago by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. Belmopan Mayor Sheran Palacio shared her reflections on the challenges of embracing change, challenging the status quo, and speaking out against injustice.
Ian King
Ian King, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative
“Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations, disrupting peace and stability within families and communities, impacting health care, education, social protection, justice, productivity, and essentially limiting human and economic development. They unite to end violence against women and girls initiative was launched by the U. N. Secretary General in 2008, and it’s a multiyear effort to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world.”
Elvia Vega-Samos
Elvia Vega-Samos, Minister of State, Ministry of Human Development
“As we read our theme, from activism to action, it ends with me. We challenge ourselves to become informed, get involved, demand more, stand up and speak out. The 16 Days of Activism was launched 32 years ago by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It’s a global call to action, recognizing that gender based violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights.”
Sheran Palacio
Sheran Palacio, Mayor, Belmopan
“We have gotten used to being comfortable in the status quo. We are afraid of change. We are afraid to challenge. We are afraid to speak. We worry what others may think the time have come for us to embrace a better world, a fairer world, a peaceful world with equal access to the wealth on earth. We have been told to pull ourselves by our bootstraps when we have no boots. We cannot continue to take this as motivation. When we all know that it is duplicated, in Creole we say two faced and double standards. They say what is good for the goose is good for the gander. And this we must demand. I sincerely and wholeheartedly agree that by creating any awareness against gender based violence is a great opportunity to introspect and project our vision for a higher quality of life.”
