The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a global movement that highlights the critical need for action to end violence against women and girls. This initiative, which runs annually from November 25 to December 10, serves as a call to governments, civil society organizations, and individuals to come together and confront the epidemic of GBV in all its forms.

In alignment with this global effort, Agency for Peace & Inclusive Development (APID) made significant strides during the 16 Days of Activism campaign, using its platform to engage communities and stakeholders across the Wajir region of Kenya. APID’s participation was multi-faceted, focusing on awareness-raising, community engagement, and promoting gender-inclusive peace-building strategies in border areas.

A Unified Launch: Wajir County’s Support for Gender Equality

APID’s efforts kicked off with active participation in the launch of the 16 Days of Activism in Khorof Harar, Wajir. The event was organized by the Women Rights Advocacy Initiative (WRAI) and served as a powerful moment to unite local leaders, activists, and community members in the fight against GBV. APID also supported the county-level launch, led by the First Lady, County Government of Wajir, where high-level officials and advocates came together to emphasize the importance of eradicating GBV and promoting gender equality in the region.

Addressing GBV in the Context of Peace-building and Security

Over the course of the 16-day period, APID expanded its focus to the intersection of GBV, peace-building, and security in the border regions. These areas are often marked by unique challenges, where security concerns and gender-based violence are deeply intertwined. One of the key activities during this period was the Security Actors and Community Leaders Meeting held in the Diif-Diif corridor, under the Deris Wanaag Project. This event brought together security personnel, community elders, and local leaders to discuss how GBV affects both social stability and security in the region. With the guidance of a gender and security expert, the meeting emphasized the need for inclusive strategies that involve more female participants in security and peace-building processes.

This meeting marked a significant step toward fostering community-based approaches to combating GBV, where the collective involvement of both men and women is seen as critical to creating sustainable solutions.

Social Media Campaign: Raising Awareness and Building Partnerships

APID also ran an extensive social media campaign to amplify the message of the 16 Days of Activism. Through daily updates on X, APID shared insights into its activities, engaged with partners, and highlighted key themes such as empowerment, gender equality, and community action. The campaign reached a wide audience, encouraging collaboration between partners and stakeholders in the fight against GBV.

As part of this initiative, APID shared detailed write-ups on the daily engagements and the individuals involved, ensuring that the voices of both community members and stakeholders were heard. The organization’s tradition of transparency in documenting its efforts served as an important tool for knowledge-sharing and future advocacy.

A Collective Call for Action

The 16 Days of Activism serve as a reminder that combating GBV requires a coordinated and sustained effort from all sectors of society. Through its comprehensive approach, APID has shown that integrating gender equality and peace-building strategies is not just possible but essential for creating lasting change. As we move forward, APID remains committed to supporting these efforts and continuing its work to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.