Campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls was launched on Saturday in Somalia.

The 16-days campaign which is organized by AU mision in Somalia ( AMISOM) has simultaneously kicked off in Somalia's regional capitals.
It is part of the ongoing global campaign under the theme "Leave No One Behind – End Violence Against Women And Girls”

"When we keep quiet and don’t talk about it, then we are also perpetrators of gender-based violence,” Ms. Alalo urged.

The commissioner pointed out that AMISOM is committed to ending violence against women and girls, considered as the most extreme form of discrimination.

"The overall theme correlates to AMISOM’s role as a peace support operation, in which we support the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States to provide a secure environment where children feel safe to go to school; where civilians can thrive and go about their daily activities unhindered; where communities appreciate the civil liberties that come with the presence of peace and security,” said Ms. Alalo.

According to a 2016 UN report based on data from 87 countries, 19 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 years, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

According to the report, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, which is still widely practised in Somalia, and is considered an extreme case of violence against women, has declined by 24 per cent worldwide, although prevalence remains high in at least 30 countries.
Research shows that achieving gender equality helps in preventing conflict, and high rates of violence against women.