In Canada, a feminicide is committed every two days. In Kenya, this phenomenon is observed daily. Access to accurate data in Haiti is difficult due to the growing influence of armed groups and political instability. The rise in violence and widespread impunity exacerbate the risks for women, and eyewitness accounts indicate a particularly worrying situation in which many women tragically lose their lives.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global crisis, profoundly affecting both women and girls and communities as a whole. Every year since 1991, the 16 days of activism against GBV remind us that the road to equality is still strewn with pitfalls.
The many faces of gender-based violence
We know that violence against women can take many forms. The most visible are physical and sexual violence, and these are often the first to come to mind. A woman who is beaten by her partner or another who is sexually assaulted in the workplace or a public space – these are, unfortunately, everyday realities that transcend borders.
GBV can also take more subtle forms that are just as painful and devastating. This is the case with psychological violence, such as repeated insults and humiliations that undermine self-esteem or the social isolation imposed by a controlling or coercive relationship. Economic violence, on the other hand, occurs when access to money or work is blocked, for example, when a woman is deprived of her bank account or prevented from working in the name of gender stereotypes.
Mission inclusion in Quebec: local support to combat gender-based violence
In Quebec, Mission inclusion also works to combat gender-based violence (GBV) by supporting local organizations. Our commitment is deployed at various levels, such as supporting initiatives that strengthen women’s communities, particularly the most vulnerable, such as the Centre de femmes La Mitis and the Ruche d’art Kokomino. Our partners also include front-line organizations such as Auberge Madeleine and Maison LI-BER-T, which provide vital support to women who are victims or survivors of violence.
Finally, we support structuring initiatives, such as the Table Osez au Féminin, a group of organizations working locally to combat GBV. We also support the Service de référence en périnatalité pour les femmes immigrantes de Québec (SRPFIQ) in its efforts to train healthcare staff to denounce and combat obstetric violence. Across the spectrum of actions to combat GBV, Mission inclusion works to ensure that women victims and survivors of violence find both appropriate solutions and communities that support them, speak out and take action to put an end to this violence.
Haiti: the PACIT project tackles systemic violence against women
In Haiti, where Mission inclusion has set up the Citizen Participation Improvement Project (PACIT – with the support of Global Affairs Canada), physical and sexual violence is taking on particularly worrying proportions. In rural communities, domestic violence is commonplace, and ‘physical correction’ is seen by many men as a legitimate right. The current climate of socio-political crisis exacerbates sexual violence. Armed groups use systematic rape as a weapon of terror against civilians: they burn down houses, kill and commit gang rapes to break down resistance and maintain a climate of fear. Women living in camps for displaced persons are among the most vulnerable, exposed not only to attacks but also to an almost total absence of services to protect them or help them get back on their feet.
In response to these challenges, the PACIT project supports the Regroupement des organisations de femmes de Gressier et Léogâne (ROFGL). Thanks to this support, a multi-sectoral committee against GBV has been set up, bringing together representatives from the justice system, the police, education, health and civil society. At the same time, the ROFGL has set up a support group for victims and survivors, offering them a place to speak out and show solidarity. These initiatives are laying the foundations for more systematic care for survivors, but challenges remain. The lack of resources, particularly the absence of shelters and psychological care services is a significant obstacle to these efforts.
Kenya and East Africa: persistent challenges and the actions of the ReSea project
Kenya is currently experiencing a serious feminicide crisis. Since last August alone, 97 cases of feminicide have been recorded. The Kenyan government has invested heavily in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, demonstrating the urgent need for action. This commitment resonates directly with the work carried out by Dandelion Africa, an organization supported by Mission inclusion, which fights against this violence in marginalized rural communities.
In parallel, the ReSea project, implemented by Mission inclusion and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with the support of Global Affairs Canada, incorporates a feminist climate justice approach that highlights the links between women’s vulnerability to climate change and their increased exposure to violence. These complementary initiatives illustrate our commitment to creating safe, inclusive and sustainable spaces for women and girls while strengthening collective mobilization for their protection, autonomy and rights.
The impact of socio-political contexts on violence against women
All these forms of violence, whether visible or invisible, everyday or otherwise, are interrelated and exacerbated by political, economic and social contexts. The rise of extremist movements around the world, the masculinist discourse in Quebec, and the instability in Haiti and East Africa are all exacerbating the vulnerability of women here and elsewhere to these injustices. We often approach these issues separately, but it is essential to remember that they are distinct facets of a single problem.
16 days of activism: a call for collective action for social change
The 16 days of activism against GBV are an opportunity to highlight these interconnections and emphasize that, despite the efforts already made and the small victories that must not be overlooked, the fight is far from over. We need to keep talking about it, break the silence, and take action to strengthen local initiatives here and elsewhere. Only by making this violence visible and joining forces can we hope to build a fairer and more egalitarian society.
Gender-based violence knows no borders, but neither Mission inclusion’s commitment. Together, we can build a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence and reach their full potential. The 16 days of activism are a crucial time to take action and make our voices heard, but our fight continues throughout the year.
In Canada, a feminicide is committed every two days. In Kenya, this phenomenon is observed daily. Access to accurate data in Haiti is difficult due to the growing influence of armed groups and political instability. The rise in violence and widespread impunity exacerbate the risks for women, and eyewitness accounts indicate a particularly worrying situation in which many women tragically lose their lives.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global crisis, profoundly affecting both women and girls and communities as a whole. Every year since 1991, the 16 days of activism against GBV remind us that the road to equality is still strewn with pitfalls.
The many faces of gender-based violence
We know that violence against women can take many forms. The most visible are physical and sexual violence, and these are often the first to come to mind. A woman who is beaten by her partner or another who is sexually assaulted in the workplace or a public space – these are, unfortunately, everyday realities that transcend borders.
GBV can also take more subtle forms that are just as painful and devastating. This is the case with psychological violence, such as repeated insults and humiliations that undermine self-esteem or the social isolation imposed by a controlling or coercive relationship. Economic violence, on the other hand, occurs when access to money or work is blocked, for example, when a woman is deprived of her bank account or prevented from working in the name of gender stereotypes.
Mission inclusion in Quebec: local support to combat gender-based violence
In Quebec, Mission inclusion also works to combat gender-based violence (GBV) by supporting local organizations. Our commitment is deployed at various levels, such as supporting initiatives that strengthen women’s communities, particularly the most vulnerable, such as the Centre de femmes La Mitis and the Ruche d’art Kokomino. Our partners also include front-line organizations such as Auberge Madeleine and Maison LI-BER-T, which provide vital support to women who are victims or survivors of violence.
Finally, we support structuring initiatives, such as the Table Osez au Féminin, a group of organizations working locally to combat GBV. We also support the Service de référence en périnatalité pour les femmes immigrantes de Québec (SRPFIQ) in its efforts to train healthcare staff to denounce and combat obstetric violence. Across the spectrum of actions to combat GBV, Mission inclusion works to ensure that women victims and survivors of violence find both appropriate solutions and communities that support them, speak out and take action to put an end to this violence.
Haiti: the PACIT project tackles systemic violence against women
In Haiti, where Mission inclusion has set up the Citizen Participation Improvement Project (PACIT – with the support of Global Affairs Canada), physical and sexual violence is taking on particularly worrying proportions. In rural communities, domestic violence is commonplace, and ‘physical correction’ is seen by many men as a legitimate right. The current climate of socio-political crisis exacerbates sexual violence. Armed groups use systematic rape as a weapon of terror against civilians: they burn down houses, kill and commit gang rapes to break down resistance and maintain a climate of fear. Women living in camps for displaced persons are among the most vulnerable, exposed not only to attacks but also to an almost total absence of services to protect them or help them get back on their feet.
In response to these challenges, the PACIT project supports the Regroupement des organisations de femmes de Gressier et Léogâne (ROFGL). Thanks to this support, a multi-sectoral committee against GBV has been set up, bringing together representatives from the justice system, the police, education, health and civil society. At the same time, the ROFGL has set up a support group for victims and survivors, offering them a place to speak out and show solidarity. These initiatives are laying the foundations for more systematic care for survivors, but challenges remain. The lack of resources, particularly the absence of shelters and psychological care services is a significant obstacle to these efforts.
Kenya and East Africa: persistent challenges and the actions of the ReSea project
Kenya is currently experiencing a serious feminicide crisis. Since last August alone, 97 cases of feminicide have been recorded. The Kenyan government has invested heavily in the 16 Days of Activism campaign, demonstrating the urgent need for action. This commitment resonates directly with the work carried out by Dandelion Africa, an organization supported by Mission inclusion, which fights against this violence in marginalized rural communities.
In parallel, the ReSea project, implemented by Mission inclusion and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with the support of Global Affairs Canada, incorporates a feminist climate justice approach that highlights the links between women’s vulnerability to climate change and their increased exposure to violence. These complementary initiatives illustrate our commitment to creating safe, inclusive and sustainable spaces for women and girls while strengthening collective mobilization for their protection, autonomy and rights.
The impact of socio-political contexts on violence against women
All these forms of violence, whether visible or invisible, everyday or otherwise, are interrelated and exacerbated by political, economic and social contexts. The rise of extremist movements around the world, the masculinist discourse in Quebec, and the instability in Haiti and East Africa are all exacerbating the vulnerability of women here and elsewhere to these injustices. We often approach these issues separately, but it is essential to remember that they are distinct facets of a single problem.
16 days of activism: a call for collective action for social change
The 16 days of activism against GBV are an opportunity to highlight these interconnections and emphasize that, despite the efforts already made and the small victories that must not be overlooked, the fight is far from over. We need to keep talking about it, break the silence, and take action to strengthen local initiatives here and elsewhere. Only by making this violence visible and joining forces can we hope to build a fairer and more egalitarian society.
Gender-based violence knows no borders, but neither Mission inclusion’s commitment. Together, we can build a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence and reach their full potential. The 16 days of activism are a crucial time to take action and make our voices heard, but our fight continues throughout the year.
The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Team
Quebec, Haiti, Kenya
Mission inclusion
The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Team
Quebec, Haiti, Kenya
Mission inclusion
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