Cox's Bazar marks 16 days of Activism against Gender-based Violence
Date:
Author: Magfuzur Rahman Shana
16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence celebration in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Photo: UN Women/Magfuzur Rahman Shana
Over 500 people including refugees, host communities, government officials and development partners joined different events organized to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence 2023 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
The event kicked off with a colourful launch event at the Cox’s Bazar Cultural Center and continued at the Rohingya Refugee Response Camps. It included an interactive theatre show, a human chain and an art campaign with paintings and slogans, wall paintings and street activities that transformed public spaces into vibrant canvases conveying messages of women’s empowerment and gender equality. The event also included the Rohingya Art and Craft Fair which showcased handicrafts and handmade products made by host and Rohingya communities.
Led by the Gender-based Violence (GBV) Sub Sector and the Gender in Humanitarian Action Working Group (GiHA WG), the events were supported by various humanitarian response partners, including the Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, women's rights organizations, and activists.
Spanning from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) to Human Rights Day (10 December), the ’16 Days’ campaign emphasized the urgent need to invest in preventing violence against women and girls. Using orange as a symbol of hope for a violence-free future, over 500 advocacy activities, from dialogues, workshops, and speeches to sports, music, and drama, resonated with the global call to unite and invest in this crucial cause.
Within the framework of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Cox’s Bazar Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) hosted the dialogue 'Advancing Gender-responsive Camp Governance'.
The dialogue brought together Camp-in-Charges across Cox's Bazar, officials of the RRRC, representatives from women’s rights organizations and from UN agencies (including UN Women, UNFPA, and UNHCR), sector representatives/coordinators and representatives of the GiHA Working Group and the GBV-Sub-Sector.
Discussions revolved around challenges confronted by women and girls in the camps and the important role of gender-responsive camp governance. Recommendations related to enhancing the safety and well-being of women and girls in the Rohingya camps were put forward and focused on the need to enhance coordination and communication.
“We need to create communication systems so we can reach survivors. Whether I am man or woman is not the issue – whether I am gender sensitive is the issue” stated Mr. Sarwar Kamal, Camp-in-Charge of the Rohingya Refugee Camp at Cox’s Bazar.
In addition, UN Women supported different events across various camps, engaging 467 stakeholders. Equipping the community with tools to advocate and raise awareness about different issues, the activities included special events marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, World Volunteer Day, World AIDS Day, and Human Rights Day. Each camp-specific event amplified inclusivity, awareness, and community-driven action against gender-based violence.
