UN Releases 25 Million Dollar To Aid Women-Led Organisations Fighting Gender-Based Violence

The United Nations (UN) released 25 million dollars from its emergency fund to aid women-led organisations that are working to alleviate gender-based violence. The funds, released by the UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock, have gone to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women. UNFPA and UN Women have been asked to pledge at least 30 percent of the same to such women-led organisations. The UN made this announcement on the first day of ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence’, an annual international campaign which starts on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, the Human Rights Day.

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The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ press release said that the funds are specifically meant for projects run by women that focus on "preventing violence against women and girls, and helping victims and survivors with access to medical care, family planning, legal advice, safe spaces, mental health services as well as counselling."

The funds have been released from the United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), an emergency fund that offers one of the fastest and most effective ways to help people affected by crises. Out of the 25 million dollars, 17 million dollars have been given to UNFPA, and eight million dollars to UN Women.

“It’s A Smart Investment And It’s The Right Thing To Do”

UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the full extent of gender inequality that women and girls face and how it threatens to reverse the limited progress that has been made in the area. He further said, “Everyone who is serious about gender equality and women’s rights must speak up. Then those with the means to do so need to put their money where their mouth is." He added that the needs of women and girls in humanitarian settings continue to be overlooked as well as underfunded. Lowcock described the released funds as "a smart investment" and "the right thing to do.”

What You Should Know: 

• The UN has released 25 million dollars to aid women-led organisations that deal with gender-based violence.
• The funds have been released from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
• Out of the 25 million dollars, 17 million dollars have been given to UNFPA and eight million dollars to UN Women.
• UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock described the released funds as "a smart investment" and "the right thing to do.”

Also Read: Five Actions You Can Take To End Gender Based Violence

UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, too, echoed Lowcock’s thoughts. “The high levels of gender-based violence that women and girls experience, especially in countries that are in crisis and in need of humanitarian assistance, remains one of the greatest injustices in our world." She added that putting resources into the hands of women-led organisations that respond to gender-based violence in humanitarian settings will be a significant step towards addressing the needs of survivors and strengthening systems to promote accountability and ending the "scourge" of gender-based violence.

Feature Image Credit: mic.com

Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.