US Embassy leads online campaign for 16 Days of Activism against GBV

KATHMANDU: The US Embassy in Kathmandu is leading an online campaign in Nepal in collaboration with the UNiTE campaign of UN Women as part of observing 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The campaign aims to amplify one very powerful message: In our world, there is no excuse for gender-based violence and we must invest to prevent violence against women and girls, the US Embassy in Kathmandu said in a statement.

“For every one of the 16 Days of Activism, the US Embassy is coordinating posts featuring women and men from the US Embassy sharing facts, quotes, and resources related to gender-based violence. On November 27, US Ambassador to Nepal Dean Thompson was featured in the campaign,” it added.

In one of the embassy’s social media posts, US Ambassador Thompson can be seen carrying a placard with the message: “To end all forms of gender-based violence, men need to engage as allies for gender equality so we can act as human helplines for those in immediate need of support.”

Australian Ambassador Felicity Volk, UK Ambassador Rob Fenn, and UN Women’s Country Representative to Nepal Patricia Fernandez-Pacheco, as well as some Nepalis, have also posted as part of the campaign.

The theme of this year’s activism is ‘Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls’.

“The online campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the issue, galvanizing advocacy efforts and investments to end violence against women and girls, and empowering change,” the embassy added in the statement.

The world observes 16 Days of activism against Gender-based Violence every year from November 25 through December 10, the world observes 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.