EU supports 16 days of activism against gender-based violence

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. The campaign is spearheaded by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership and carried forward by numerous advocates worldwide that are engaging, mobilizing and scaling up efforts.
Gender based violence is one of the most common human rights violations. As a result of unequal power relations women are adversely affected. Recent campaigns like the #MeToo movement have given global attention to the problem.
According to UN Women, 28% of Ethiopian women have experienced lifetime physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence. A staggering 65% have undergone some form of Female Genital Mutilation. The world of work is no safe haven either. A 2016 research by the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions on the situation of women in selected flower growers, textile and leather processing companies has highlighted discrimination, harassment, gender pay gaps and poor working conditions. As an important step, the Ethiopian parliament approved a draft Labour Proclamation on 5 July 2019 to replace the Labour Proclamation No. 377/2003 that has been in existence for 16 years. The revised law has introduced a rule to regulate workplace sexual harassment and sexual violence.