A Call to Action: Commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls”

Statement by Augusta Yaakugh Esq., Founder and Executive Director, LIRAD

Today, as the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, I join countless advocates, survivors, and allies in calling for bold action to end this pervasive crisis. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human rights violations, impacting 1 in 3 women globally. For marginalised women, however, the risk is even greater, compounded by stigma, systemic inequality, and lack of access to justice.

At LIRAD, we are committed to breaking the cycles of violence that have persisted for far too long, particularly for the most vulnerable among us. Women living with HIV, women with disabilities, women who use drugs, LBQTI women, and sex workers face not only physical and psychological violence but also structural and systemic barriers that reinforce their exclusion. These women are not only survivors but also leaders, advocates, and community builders whose voices deserve to be heard and amplified.

The Legacy of Beijing +30

This year’s theme, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” reminds us of the commitments made nearly three decades ago at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. That conference was a turning point, setting forth a bold agenda to achieve gender equality and eliminate violence against women.

Yet, as we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we must confront the reality that these promises remain unfulfilled for many women. The progress made over the years, while significant, has not been inclusive enough to address the unique vulnerabilities of marginalised groups. The fight to end violence against women must be intersectional, addressing the overlapping factors that leave some women more vulnerable than others.

Marginalised Women: At the Intersection of Vulnerability and Resilience

Across Nigeria, West Africa, and the African continent, marginalised women face unique and intersecting challenges:

• Women living with HIV face violence rooted in stigma, discrimination, and blame, particularly in healthcare systems and intimate relationships.

• Women with disabilities are disproportionately affected by physical and sexual abuse, often at the hands of those tasked with their care.

• Women who use drugs and sex workers are criminalised and excluded from essential services, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

• LBQTI women are subjected to hate crimes and systemic rejection, exacerbated by legal frameworks and cultural norms that deny their existence and dignity.

These women are often silenced and excluded from the very systems designed to protect them. Yet, they continue to lead efforts within their communities, demonstrating resilience, courage, and hope.

LIRAD’s Commitment to Action

At LIRAD, we believe that violence against women is not just a women’s issue—it is a societal failure and a violation of human rights. Our mission is to challenge these failures and build systems that empower women, particularly those on the margins.

To this end, we are pursuing a comprehensive strategy that includes:

1. Advocating for Inclusive Policies: Strong laws and policies that address the specific needs of marginalised women, ensuring they are protected and their rights upheld.

2. Challenging Harmful Norms: Working with communities to dismantle societal attitudes that perpetuate violence, stigma, and discrimination.

3. Expanding Access to Services: Providing survivor-centred healthcare, psychosocial support, and legal aid tailored to the realities of marginalised women.

4. Building Solidarity: Creating platforms where marginalised women can share their stories, lead advocacy efforts, and hold systems accountable.

A Collective Responsibility

Ending violence against women and girls requires the efforts of governments, civil society, and individuals alike. It demands that we listen to survivors, amplify their voices, and prioritise their needs in policy and action. As we reflect on this day, let us remember that real change comes from standing together, speaking out, and refusing to accept violence in any form.

Looking Ahead

This year, as we align with the 2024 United Nations UNiTE Campaign, I urge all stakeholders to recommit to the vision of Beijing. Let us turn promises into action and action into lasting impact. The world we want—a world where no woman or girl lives in fear of violence—is possible, but only if we work together to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality and harm.

To every woman who has survived violence: we see you, we hear you, and we stand with you. To every ally and advocate: your voice is critical in this fight. And to every leader: now is the time to act decisively and inclusively.

At LIRAD, we remain steadfast in our commitment to amplifying the voices of the most marginalised, breaking barriers, and building a future where every woman and girl feels safe, empowered, and heard.

Together, we can UNiTE to end violence against women and girls—for good.

Augusta Yaakugh Esq

Founder and Executive Director, LIRAD

Towards Beijing +30: Amplifying Marginalised Voices to End Violence Against Women and Girls

By Green Chizoba.O, Esq

As the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we are reminded of the promises made nearly three decades ago at the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. The 2024 United Nations UNiTE Campaign theme, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” is a call to reignite global commitments to ending gender-based violence in all its forms.

However, as we reflect on progress made, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: many women, particularly those on the margins, have been left behind in this journey.

At the heart of this year’s campaign theme is an urgent demand for inclusivity. Ending violence against women and girls must mean ending violence against all women and girls, including those whose identities and circumstances place them at the intersections of multiple forms of discrimination. Women living with HIV, women with disabilities, women who use drugs, LBQTI women, and sex workers are among those most vulnerable to violence, yet their experiences are often sidelined in mainstream advocacy.

The Marginalised Majority

The Executive Director of LIRAD eloquently captured the gravity of this crisis in her address today, highlighting the unique barriers faced by marginalised women in Nigeria, West Africa, and across the African continent.

For women living with HIV, stigma often translates into violence from intimate partners, discrimination in healthcare, and social exclusion. Women with disabilities face disproportionately high rates of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, often from those entrusted with their care. Women who use drugs and sex workers are criminalised and stigmatised, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, extortion, and violence from law enforcement and clients alike. LBQTI women endure hate crimes and systemic rejection, frequently exacerbated by laws and cultural norms that criminalise their identities.

These groups are not small minorities. They represent millions of women whose stories are silenced, whose struggles are neglected, and whose safety and dignity are routinely violated.

UNiTE to End Marginalisation

The UNiTE campaign’s 2024 focus on Beijing +30 offers a critical opportunity to amplify the voices of marginalised women and advocate for systemic change. We cannot truly commemorate the legacy of Beijing if we fail to address the specific realities of those most at risk of violence.

As the Executive Director of LIRAD pointed out, violence against marginalised women is not just physical—it is systemic, institutional, and deeply embedded in social norms, laws, and policies that exclude them. This year’s theme compels us to move beyond surface-level solutions and tackle the root causes of this violence, including structural inequalities and cultural attitudes that perpetuate stigma and silence.

Actions Towards Beijing +30

To align with the 2024 UNiTE Campaign, LIRAD is championing a multi-pronged approach to ending violence against marginalised women and girls:

1. Advocacy for Inclusive Policies: Stronger laws and policies that address the intersecting vulnerabilities of marginalised women, such as those living with HIV, women with disabilities, and sex workers.

2. Community-Led Prevention Programmes: Initiatives that challenge harmful societal norms and empower women to lead efforts in their own communities.

3. Investment in Support Services: Expanding access to survivor-centred healthcare, legal aid, and psychosocial support that addresses the unique needs of marginalised groups.

4. Education and Awareness Campaigns: Shifting societal attitudes through education on the human rights of all women, particularly those facing intersecting barriers.

Towards a Truly Inclusive Future

As we approach Beijing +30, let us ensure that the global movement to end violence against women is truly inclusive. The promise of Beijing was a world where all women could live free from violence, regardless of their identities, circumstances, or the barriers they face. Achieving this vision requires us to centre the voices of marginalised women and work tirelessly to dismantle the systems that oppress them.

At LIRAD, we are committed to this fight. We believe that no woman—whether living with HIV, with disabilities, who uses drugs, identifies as LBQTI, or works as a sex worker—should ever face violence, stigma, or exclusion.

The 2024 UNiTE campaign reminds us that this is a collective responsibility. Together, we must amplify the voices of those most affected, break the barriers that hold them back, and build a future where every woman and girl is safe, empowered, and heard.

Together, we can UNiTE to end violence against women and girls—for good.

Let us honour the legacy of Beijing by turning words into action, promises into progress, and silence into solidarity.