Issa SANOGO, Resident Coordinator UN Madagascar: "Let's break the silence, STOP THE VIOLENCE"

“Gender-based violence is a global scourge, and the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating it in all its forms: from domestic violence to sexual abuse, online harassment and increased child marriage.” Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General

Madagascar has not been spared either by COVID-19 or by gender-based violence.

The recent perception survey on gender-based violence during the COVID-19 period conducted by UNFPA Madagascar showed us that the magnitude of domestic violence, sexual violence, psychological violence and economic violence increased during this period. "79.5 percent of the survivors suffered from psychological violence during the COVID-19 and lockdown period; 31 percent of the survivors were victims of economic violence. Sexual violence that is not automatically declared during normal times represents a significant proportion of 26 percent".

Moreover, according to the latest 2018 MICS survey, the situation of Malagasy women is still alarming.

• The social justification of violence as a disciplinary measure when a woman does not conform to the expected gender role is high in Madagascar. Women are more accepting of violence against women (41 percent) than men (29 percent);
• 14 percent of women aged 15-49 have been victims of sexual violence during their lifetime; 32 percent have been victims of physical violence since the age of 15;
• Approximately 1 out of 4 women is victim of physical violence perpetrated by their current or former husband/spouse.

Violence is a problem that affects health, rights, economy, education, development and above all, human rights. In recent weeks, we have seen a relative increase in violence against women and children. We are shocked by this and we condemn these abominable acts.

Furthermore, we are delighted that the lines are moving in Madagascar, to name but a few: the promulgation of the law on gender-based violence, the establishment of the penal chain for gender-based violence (CPA-VBG), the judicial policy that calls for increased severity of sanctions for gender-based violence perpetrators, as well as the multi-sectoral revitalization for the effective care of victims of gender-based violence.

We have just launched the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and as a result, despite all progress, a lot of efforts remain to be made. For us, the fight does not only last 16 days, it lasts 365 days a year.
We wish to launch the following appeal for this decade of action before the universal deadline of 2030, the fight against gender-based violence is everyone’s business. Altogether, let us break the silence and contribute to a world free of violence for the next generation.