#16Days: Make Education Safe for All!

Despite years of efforts to prevent and end Violence Against Women (VAW), it continues to be a problem of monumental magnitude globally. As world peace continues to be threatened by the struggle for power and resources, we continue to see emerging forms of violence against women. Take for example Technology Assisted Violence Against Women (TAVAW ) perpetrated through mobile phones and the internet or acts of terrorism, such as the abduction by Boko Haram of the Chibok girls in Nigeria. These issues continue to remind us of the importance of global initiatives that pay attention to the problem of violence against women.

The 16-days of activism against VAW is an annual event which continues to give us hope that VAW can indeed be prevented. This year, the theme points towards prevention and will form the basis upon which strategies to prevent VAW will be discussed across the world. The dates of the campaign 25 Nov – 10 December serve to create a link between VAW and Human rights. 25 November is the International Day against VAW while 10 December is the International Human Rights Day. This linkage emphasises that violence against women is a human rights violation.

This year, Hivos in East Africa and our partners the Women’s Rights Awareness Programme (WRAP), African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) and Young women Leadership institute (YWLI) are participating the 16 Days Campaign to focus specifically on the relationship between militarism and the right to education. Whether in situations of violent conflict or relative peace, and in a variety of education settings, we want to highlight negative effects of militarism as part of an all-encompassing patriarchal system of discrimination and inequality based on our relationships to power.

Below is a detailed overview of the Make Education Safe for All campaign activities:

No.	Date /Time	Activity	Venue	Facilitators/Partners
	2^ndDec. 2015 9.00am -11.00am	TV Talk-show at GBS TV	GBS studio	GBS, WRAP Panellist; Legal person, Counsellor, Community Representative
	3^rd Dec. 2015 12.00pm-5.00pm	Youth Sporting Activity – Football match Legal Awareness and psychological services Referral services Dissemination of IEC Materials	Dandora Stadium	WRAP, Dandora GBV Watch group, Youths (Football clubs)
	3^rdDec. 2015	Host a twitter chat on the on the importance of education but at the same time highlighting challenges facing girls with disability when it comes to education. Sharing 16 stories of young feminists to inspire and encourage parents to educate girls and more so calling on the government to make education accessible for all.
	4^th Dec. 2015 9.00am-2.00pm	Right awareness walk (From Dandora Chief’s camp through Ushirika Primary to Dandora Stadium) Public awareness meeting: Speeches Edutainment Legal Medical and psychological support services to survivors of violence Dissemination of IEC Materials i.e. T-shirts, Flyers. Referral services Host a community forum with 100 girls at the St. Theresa Secondary school to encourage, inspire a sister to take education seriously.	Dandora Stadium St.Teresa School	Pendekezo Letu, WRAP, MSF, LAAC –Dandora, Dandora GBV Watch Group,Ghetto Radio and GBS TV YWLI
	8^thDec. 2015 9.00am – 1.00pm	Awareness walk/Procession Dissemination of IEC Materials	Kayole – Soweto slums Masimba areas.	WRAP, Local government Admin, Police, Kayole GBV watch group, QTV Crew
	10^th Dec. 2015 9.00am – 1.00pm	Awareness walk/Procession Dissemination of IEC Materials	Kiambiu –Vihiga, Sagana and Kosovo	WRAP, Local government Admin, Police, Kiambiu GBV watch group
	Continuous throughout the 16 days	Hold forums with male religious and cultural leaders to discuss VAW that is perpetuated by harmful traditional practices particularly FGC and Child marriage.	Homabay and Tharaka Nithi	FEMNET