On Wednesday, African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat called on African countries to implement concrete actions to end violence against women and girls.
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According to official data, Faki made the call in a statement on the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which runs annually from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.
"I urgently call on AU member states and all stakeholders to accelerate action to end violence against women and girls," Faki said in the statement.
"To ensure a future where violence is no longer a barrier to the empowerment and security of women and girls, it is urgent to transform our collective resolve into impactful and concrete measures, that will shape our societies into safe, equitable and inclusive spaces that uphold and protect the rights of women and girls," Faki said.
This year's commemoration of the campaign coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.
In this regard, Faki underscored the need to exert concerted efforts to eradicate violence against women and girls across the African continent.
The AU Commission chairperson further called on African countries to allocate dedicated budgets to preventing violence against women and girls, as well as supporting victims of gender-based violence.