By Sharon Namarome
The recent United Nations report, ‘Women Rights in Review 30 years after Beijing’ highlighted threats women and girls are facing globally. It is debilitating to realize that after every 10 minutes, a girl loses her life to an intimate partner or family member.
The fact that one in four countries received a backlash on women’s rights last year as per the report is more saddening, depicting the long journey ahead as the severity of gender-based violence among women and girls is undeniable.
The establishment of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action(BPFA) in 1995 has been central to amplifying women’s needs. So far there has been a massive expansion of services specifically tailored towards women and girls concerning GBV including education, women’s involvement in leadership, and the creation of laws that safeguard women with 193 countries having such laws, a massive increase from 12 countries in 1995.
However, to equally enhance a uniform achievement on GBV, the Beijing Declaration Platform for Action (BPFA) must ensure the enacted strategies are actualized. First, it should strengthen accountability and political commitment to all member states to submit their periodic details on GBV progress made citing legal enforcement, budget allocation, and survivor programs with states that fail to meet this to undergoing international scrutiny with their access to global funding on gender programs being linked to measurable progress.
Secondly, the BPFA should push for the establishment of a Global GBV Fund, where international donors, governments, and private sector players contribute resources to support survivor services, shelters, and education programs. Additionally, member states should be required to dedicate a fixed percentage of their GDP to GBV response and prevention.
Third, the BPFA should establish a unified global GBV database that standardizes data collection across member states, ensuring accurate tracking of GBV trends and policy effectiveness. Special funding should be allocated for research on emerging forms of GBV, such as digital violence, human trafficking, and GBV in conflict zones. Survivors should also be involved in shaping research priorities to ensure that policies address real challenges faced by affected communities.
Fourth, the BPFA should support the development of AI-powered early warning systems that use data analytics to predict and prevent GBV occurrences, especially in hotspot areas. Mobile-based reporting platforms, such as SMS helplines and encrypted apps, should be promoted to allow survivors to discreetly report abuse and access help. On cyber-based GBV, the BPFA should advocate for stronger global policies against online harassment, ensuring that social media platforms and internet providers take responsibility for preventing digital violence.
Fifth, Since GBV often transcends national borders, the BPFA should push for harmonization of GBV laws across regions to close legal loopholes that allow perpetrators to evade justice. Regional GBV task forces should be created to facilitate cooperation between law enforcement agencies, ensuring coordinated efforts to combat human trafficking and online exploitation. Additionally, the BPFA should advocate for safe migration and relocation programs for survivors fleeing violence, ensuring they have access to protection and legal assistance regardless of where they are.
Finally, the BPFA should advocate for the development of a standardized GBV response model that member states can implement. This model should integrate medical, legal, and psychosocial services under one roof to make survivor support more accessible and efficient. Law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, and judicial officers should receive specialized training to ensure they handle GBV cases with sensitivity and urgency. Additionally, funding should be directed toward rapid response teams that can be deployed in high-risk areas such as refugee camps and conflict zones.
Sharon Namarome is a NAYA Kenya Youth Advocate
