Globally, the rights of women and girls are overshadowed by the increasing perpetuation of violence and abuse because of their gender, socio-economic status and geographical location. According WHO, 1 in 3 women experience some form of physical, sexual, psychological or intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner worldwide. The statistic is also gloomy for violence against girls in and around school. UNESCO estimates that physical and sexual violence are the most prevalent affecting 1 in 3 children worldwide.

Although both boys and girls are victims of sexual violence in schools, evidence shows girls are more vulnerable to sexual abuse. Available data from ten countries in Africa, Asia and Americas estimates a total of nearly 400,000 girls reported sexual abuse in school within a 12-month period alone in 2020. The World Bank reports that health consequences of GBV is not only devastating for survivors of violence and their families, but also entails significant social and economic costs, estimated to cost about 3.7% of  GDP in some countries – more than double what most governments spend on education.

In the communities in which we work, GBV is fuelled and reinforced by a range of factors, including economic and social insecurity, cultural norms, illiteracy, poverty and gender inequality.

Mamie Foundation responds by focusing on empowering women and girls socially and economically to increase their voice and participation in the change process, and on creating the enabling environment for collaborative actionable change.

In addressing GBV, we recognise the importance of community inputs, access to life-changing services and knowledge sharing. Thus, our response also builds on community mobilisation and education, access to services and protective homes and evidence-based interventions to address the economic, social and cultural barriers that continue to drive women’s vulnerability to GBV.

We  believe that the eradication of GBV means women and girls are free from violence and have equal opportunities to economic, social and political rights to reach their full potential. Women and girls who are empowered can contribute to social dividends of society such as better education and health, and promote local and national economic growth.