The United Nations, the Bhutan Football Federation and RENEW have launched the “Kick for Equality” campaign which aims to use football to promote gender equality. The campaign, aligned with the 16 Days of Activism, aims to raise awareness about Gender-Based Violence.
Kicking off with a match in Gelephu yesterday, the initiative emphasizes the role of sports in fostering positive change. The campaign engages youth as agents of change, utilizing female athletes as role models and participating in global initiatives against online body abuse.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence began on 25th November, the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women. The campaign lasts until 10th December, observed every year as Human Rights Day.
WHO’s Country Representative Dr Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh said, “it is an opportunity for us to recommit ourselves to the cause of creating a society where every woman and girl lives free from fear, discrimination and violence. Violence against women is grief, a violation of Human Rights and a public health concern and it impacts not only individuals but the community and the entire nation. Eliminating violation is not just a goal, it’s a shared responsibility that requires active involvement of everyone from our community.”
The National Commission for Women and Children report 2017 shows 45 per cent of women in Bhutan experience one or other form of violence from intimate partners. This 45 per cent is higher than the global average of 30 per cent.
Karma Wangdi, Sarpang
