3 Ways We Work to End Gender-Based Violence
3 Ways We Work to End Gender-Based Violence
Every year, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign unites individuals and organizations worldwide to raise awareness and take action against gender-based violence (GBV). As part of this global effort, World Renew works tirelessly to create lasting change by empowering youth, supporting survivors, and fostering gender justice in communities. Through innovative programs and local community initiatives, World Renew addresses the root causes of GBV while promoting hope, healing, and equality.
Here are three powerful ways we contribute to the fight against GBV and advocate for a world free from violence.
1. Empowering Youth Advocacy
World Renew inspires change by fostering youth advocacy groups that tackle critical issues like gender equality, education, child marriage, and female genital mutilation. These safe, supportive spaces empower young people to lead their communities toward healthier attitudes and practices, making them key drivers in the fight against gender-based violence.
In Senegal, World Renew’s Adolescent Health and Rights Program is empowering girls to stand against child marriage through education and peer mentoring. Sixteen-year-old Diarra learned about the risks of early marriage and convinced her parents to let her pursue her dream of joining the army. Diarra is grateful for the lessons she has learned, saying, “I had never realized it’s not good to get married very early; previously I had wanted to marry early in life. [My parents] were very surprised . . . they promised not to make me get married very early.”
2. Providing Trauma Healing for Survivors
Survivors of GBV often face long journeys toward recovery. World Renew hosts trauma healing groups where individuals can come together to process their experiences, find mutual support, and rediscover hope. By addressing the emotional wounds of violence, these groups create paths to renewed strength and resilience.
In Honduras, Yuri, once burdened by past abuse, found healing through trauma workshops offered by World Renew’s local partner. These workshops helped her forgive and even care for her ailing stepfather with love, despite their painful history. Now a certified facilitator, Yuri shares her story to help others find healing and confidence as she has. She shares, “Before, everything scared me, I did not have the courage to express myself in front of others . . . now I have the confidence to express myself. After being healed in the workshops, my heart was touched, and I am encouraged to help others to be healed.”
3. Training Communities on Gender Justice
World Renew works with community members to deepen understanding of gender equality and build healthier relationships at home and in the broader community. Through these trainings, people gain tools to challenge harmful norms, foster respect, and create environments where GBV is less likely to occur.
Francisco from Zambia admits he once drank heavily and mistreated his wife, Angela, unaware of the importance of gender equality. Through World Renew’s gender justice program, his perspective changed, and he committed to being a better husband. He stopped drinking and embraced equality in their marriage, sharing, “Lessons on gender opened up my mind because I now understand about gender roles and how they impact the welfare of my family . . . I stopped drinking and explained to my wife that now I will be a better husband.” Today, Franciso and Angela are celebrating the transformation of their marriage, with Angela saying, “We are equal partners.”
Every year, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign unites individuals and organizations worldwide to raise awareness and take action against gender-based violence (GBV). As part of this global effort, World Renew works tirelessly to create lasting change by empowering youth, supporting survivors, and fostering gender justice in communities. Through innovative programs and local community initiatives, World Renew addresses the root causes of GBV while promoting hope, healing, and equality.
Here are three powerful ways we contribute to the fight against GBV and advocate for a world free from violence.
1. Empowering Youth Advocacy
World Renew inspires change by fostering youth advocacy groups that tackle critical issues like gender equality, education, child marriage, and female genital mutilation. These safe, supportive spaces empower young people to lead their communities toward healthier attitudes and practices, making them key drivers in the fight against gender-based violence.
In Senegal, World Renew’s Adolescent Health and Rights Program is empowering girls to stand against child marriage through education and peer mentoring. Sixteen-year-old Diarra learned about the risks of early marriage and convinced her parents to let her pursue her dream of joining the army. Diarra is grateful for the lessons she has learned, saying, “I had never realized it’s not good to get married very early; previously I had wanted to marry early in life. [My parents] were very surprised . . . they promised not to make me get married very early.”
2. Providing Trauma Healing for Survivors
Survivors of GBV often face long journeys toward recovery. World Renew hosts trauma healing groups where individuals can come together to process their experiences, find mutual support, and rediscover hope. By addressing the emotional wounds of violence, these groups create paths to renewed strength and resilience.
In Honduras, Yuri, once burdened by past abuse, found healing through trauma workshops offered by World Renew’s local partner. These workshops helped her forgive and even care for her ailing stepfather with love, despite their painful history. Now a certified facilitator, Yuri shares her story to help others find healing and confidence as she has. She shares, “Before, everything scared me, I did not have the courage to express myself in front of others . . . now I have the confidence to express myself. After being healed in the workshops, my heart was touched, and I am encouraged to help others to be healed.”
3. Training Communities on Gender Justice
World Renew works with community members to deepen understanding of gender equality and build healthier relationships at home and in the broader community. Through these trainings, people gain tools to challenge harmful norms, foster respect, and create environments where GBV is less likely to occur.
Francisco from Zambia admits he once drank heavily and mistreated his wife, Angela, unaware of the importance of gender equality. Through World Renew’s gender justice program, his perspective changed, and he committed to being a better husband. He stopped drinking and embraced equality in their marriage, sharing, “Lessons on gender opened up my mind because I now understand about gender roles and how they impact the welfare of my family . . . I stopped drinking and explained to my wife that now I will be a better husband.” Today, Franciso and Angela are celebrating the transformation of their marriage, with Angela saying, “We are equal partners.”
World Renew combines advocacy, healing, and education to drive meaningful change in the fight against gender-based violence. This year, we’ve partnered with International Justice Mission Canada (IJM) and Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) to take action against gender-based violence. You can partner with us, too!
World Renew combines advocacy, healing, and education to drive meaningful change in the fight against gender-based violence. This year, we’ve partnered with International Justice Mission Canada (IJM) and Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) to take action against gender-based violence. You can partner with us, too!