Meet 5 changemakers fighting against gender-based violence

One in three women experience physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. This statistic is a grim reminder of the urgent need to address this pervasive issue worldwide. But in a world where gender-based violence remains a deeply entrenched problem, the stories of changemakers and civil society organizations addressing it offer us a glimmer of hope. Through their dedication and determination, progress is being made and lives are being transformed.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence theme is "UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls." These 16 days serve as a powerful platform to raise awareness, advocate for policy changes and foster solidarity among individuals, communities and nations in our collective effort to create a safe and equitable world for women and girls.

People all over the world are working for these 16 days — and the rest of the year — to combat gender-based violence. Here are five of those remarkable changemakers, youth and civil society organizations at the forefront of progress, making significant strides to end gender-based violence.

Carmen Correa, CEO, Pro Mujer

Pro Mujer, a social enterprise with over three decades of dedicated service, promotes gender equality in Latin America. Their commitment to empowering underserved women and improving their living conditions has had a significant impact in a region where one in three women has experienced gender-based violence.

Pro Mujer recognized the urgent need for intervention and realized that addressing structural barriers to gender equality was crucial for women to reach their full potential. To address this, Pro Mujer employs a multifaceted approach to combat gender-based violence by working closely with women in the region, providing essential support and tools to help them overcome and identify gender-based violence promptly.

In Bolivia, where Pro Mujer was founded, the organization has initiated a programme involving volunteer women who are survivors of gender-based violence. These survivors offer psychological support to other women facing similar situations — a clear example of their resilience and solidarity. These survivor mentors provide a lifeline to women in desperate need, helping them regain control over their lives while fostering a sense of community and solidarity among women. This initiative demonstrates the power of resilience, shared experiences and a supportive community in preventing and overcoming gender-based violence.

Carmen Correa, CEO of Pro Mujer, says: “We provide counseling in five Latin American countries, have protocols for gender-based violence cases in our clinics and during the COVID-19 pandemic, we even established the first free hotline in Bolivia to address gender-based violence cases.” This intervention ensured that women had access to essential support and assistance even during a global crisis.

Jodie Padilla Lozano, Global Shapers Curator, Guayaquil Hub

Jodie Padilla Lozano's commitment to combating violence against women and girls is deeply rooted in her journey, having experienced emotional violence — a form of abuse often overlooked but equally harmful. This type of violence, characterized by constant criticism, doesn't always originate from family or partners but can permeate friendships and work environments.

Jodie got involved in the Equitable Leadership Program that engages the "ninis" segment, an acronym in Spanish for women who neither work nor study.

“The programme invited them to train to obtain a professional certificate with which they could lead entrepreneurship with a gender focus or raise awareness about this problem in their communities, informing them with action manuals and empowering them,” explains Lozano.

One notable success story from this programme is its approach of not categorizing participants as violated women but rather empowering them with soft skills and tools for professional development. This approach enabled Jodie and her team to educate these women about the various forms of violence, including those they may not have been aware of. Through programmes like the Equitable Leadership Program, she has partnered with local authorities and the Women's Directorate of a Mayor's Office in Ecuador (Guayaquil) to educate and empower women.

Kate Roberts, Founder and CEO, the Body Agency & Young Global Leader Alumn

Kate Roberts's commitment to a violence-free world is rooted in a profound belief that change starts with the next generation. With a career spanning three decades of addressing gaps in global female healthcare, understanding the challenges and implementing solutions, she founded The Body Agency. The organization’s initiative BodyNEXT embodies Kate’s philosophy by educating young minds about their bodies, safety, health and mental well-being, subjects often marred by taboos and stigma.

BodyNEXT primarily engages girls, recognizing their vital role in shaping the future. However, to foster behavioural change, The Body Agency engages men and boys through the "Men for the Girl Effect" campaign, reinforcing the message that everyone has a stake in creating a violence-free world.

This programme takes a community-based approach, bridging the gaps in youth healthcare needs by collaborating with schools, established medical institutions, NGOs and the private sector.

Another example of their impact can be seen in Rwanda with their programme with Pilot Light, where they provide microloans to women to start their own businesses.

“We have witnessed cases where the women start to earn more money than their spouses and are therefore able to walk away from their abuser with their children and create a new prosperous life. They have joined a community of other women in exactly the same situation, and they all come together to support one another, often as many as 1,000 in a small village,” says Roberts.

The key lesson is that violence prevention should start early and address systemic issues. Additionally, to break the cycle of violence rooted in cultural norms, poverty and mental health issues, all underlying causes must be addressed concurrently.

Françoise Moudouthe, CEO, African Women Development Fund and Young Global Leader

Françoise Moudouthe's commitment to combating gender-based violence was born from a stark reality: virtually every woman she knows has experienced some form of sexual or gender-based violence in her lifetime. Whether in schools, workplaces, on the streets, during conflicts, online or at home, women across Africa face these harrowing experiences. Françoise's dedication to combating violence against women and girls is born from a profound understanding that sexual and gender-based violence is an endemic issue affecting countless women.

Thankfully, millions of women have chosen resistance over resignation and are empowering women, engaging families and communities and advocating for stronger laws and policies against gender-based violence and other manifestations of patriarchy in our societies.

“Their courage has been my inspiration, and I committed my career to nurturing their collective action. I helped create a global partnership to end child marriage, then hosted platforms for African feminists to learn from one another’s life stories,” says Moudouthe.

“As the CEO of the African Women’s Development Fund, I leverage the power of philanthropy to provide the type of funding that enables African feminists to have the transformative impact they are capable of. If you want to end gender-based violence, fund feminist movements in the ways that work for them: generously, flexibly, and directly.”

She asks: “Did you know that only 1% of all gender-focused government aid directly goes to women's organizations? Did you know that most of the funding feminist groups do receive is so restricted that they often end up following the donors' agenda rather than the needs of their communities?”

Moudouthe believes gender-based violence cannot be tackled in isolation: “We will only prevail if we work together, as movements that are bold, inclusive and intersectional.”

Khushbakht Shah Jillani, Global Shaper and Curator, Karachi Hub

Khushbakht Shah Jillani's commitment to combating violence targeting women and girls was ignited during her court visits as a law student. These visits exposed her to the painful truth surrounding the violence inflicted upon women in their homes and communities. After graduating, Khushbakht decided to be the lawyer who fights tirelessly to eliminate this violence.

Through her initiative Adal Aur Sehat, she has helped 30 women attain freedom from violence by providing crucial legal support through Adal Aur Sehat’s Legal Aid Bureau. Khushbakht has litigated before the High Court, advocating for the creation of enforcement mechanisms to ensure the protection of women affected by domestic violence.

“We have created a nationwide digital campaign titled 'Mehfooz.' It is led by a team of law students/fresh graduates passionate about creating a safe environment for women by educating them to identify various forms of abuse. Four years of work has reached a collective audience of over 11,000 people of Pakistan and has brought relevant stakeholders on board for our mission to eliminate violence,” says Jillani.

The Mehfooz campaign has not only educated thousands of people, but has also brought relevant stakeholders on board to collaborate in the mission to eliminate violence against women. The most notable outcome is the transformation of survivors who have rebuilt their lives personally and professionally.

Khushbakht emphasizes the importance of investing in the training of the police and trial magistrates. This investment is crucial to ensure that female litigants affected by violence have swift and sensitive access to justice. For lasting change to occur, the government must prioritize these measures to give freedom to the 116 million Pakistani women who deserve protection from violence.

These changemakers remind us that violence against women and girls cannot be addressed in isolation. Leaders should recognize that gender-based violence is amplified by the multiple oppressions or inequalities women may face: racism, poverty, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability, among others. As Black feminist Audre Lorde taught us: "There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives."