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Joint Statement: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
The members of the Bangladesh-based Protection Consortium comprised of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion (HI), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), call upon the international community to enhance its support to refugees and host communities increasingly dealing with gender-based violence (GBV).
Since 1991, the sixteen days between 25th November and 10th December, are internationally recognised as part of a global campaign to eliminate gender-based violence, with the 25th of November marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
This year’s theme is #NoExcuse #16Days ‘Towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNITE to End Violence Against Women’. The global campaign emphasises the urgency to prevent gender-related killings and protect women and girls now.
The Protection Consortium continuously conducts protection data gathering and analysis to understand better and inform about the protection situation, through evidence-based data. It advocates for the Rohingya refugees and host communities trying to live their lives with security, safety and dignity.
The protracted Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh is now entering its eighth year. In 2024 the number of people fleeing the escalating and intensifying conflict in Myanmar and seeking refuge in Bangladesh has significantly increased. This has exacerbated the existing vulnerabilities of the community and significantly raised protection concerns in the camps. As well as further exposed women and girls, already vulnerable, to a range of gender-based violence, including sexual assault, domestic abuse, and child marriage. Women and girls with disabilities are especially vulnerable to GBV and have increased barriers to access support services.
The Protection Consortium monitoring shows that physical, emotional, and sexual violence were the most frequently reported protection incidents between May to August 2024. Adolescent girls, young women, female-headed households, and persons with disabilities have been identified as particularly vulnerable. Emerging gaps in addressing GBV include the declining service quality and continuity. Reduced funding has unfortunately impacted essential staffing for critical activities, including GBV case management.
We recognise the importance of this annual campaign in raising awareness, challenging harmful norms and stigmas, and advocating for change.
We reaffirm our commitment to protect the rights and dignity of women and girls including those living in the refugee camps and surrounding host communities in Bangladesh.