Media Advisory: UN Women and Key Stakeholders to host Gender Ataya in Dakar

UN Women is organizing the first edition of "Gender Ataya" on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 on the 8th floor of the African Institute of Management (IAM), Dakar.

The Gender Ataya is designed to open spaces for young people to contribute to inclusive and equitable development and decision-making processes within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals. It will provide a platform for young people to engage in dialogue with themselves and decision makers including government, CSOs and private sector to share ideas, experiences and innovative approaches for effectively addressing youth development challenges facing Africa.

For far too long, impunity, silence, stigma and shame have led to an entrenched endemic of this human rights violation, gender-based violence around the world. In recent years however, the drive for change had garnered more visibility due largely to the determination and bravery of activists and survivors. The Gender Ataya will ensure that the community is fully engaged and supportive to hold discussions about topics that are usually considered taboo. This inter sectional platform also brings about a multi-sectoral awareness as everyone in society has an important role to play in ending violence against women and girls and we all must work together across sectors to address the various aspects of violence against women and girls.

The commitment to ‘leave no one behind’ has been a key feature of all the discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Towards this end, UN Women, in collaboration with Young Professionals Group and diverse stakeholders and partners, will hold a Gender Ataya Learning Series on Breaking the culture of silence surrounding Violence Against Women.

The Youth (students, youth organizations and associations) have been selected as a primary audience, since they not only are the majority information consumers in terms of digital media, but an audience that fosters possibilities for social transformation through deconstructing the traditionally upheld beliefs about gender roles and acting as change agents to dismantle present counterproductive attitudes in Senegal.

Gender Ataya will be taking place during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which is an international campaign which takes place each year. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. The Campaign’s global advocacy theme this year is: Orange the World: #HearMeToo 

Gender Ataya, through the HeforShe Campaign, is dedicated to involving men and boys to be play their part in Gender Equality. HeForShe is an invitation for men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women to create a bold, visible and united force for a gender equal world.

The specific conference themes are:

1. How to engage men and boys in the prevention of Violence Against Women;

• How to promote progressive masculinity and debunk gender stereotypes
• The role of men and boys in active advocacy against Gender Based Violence

1. Challenges and resolutions to end domestic violence, education-related violence, and violence in the public space
2. Youth action in preventing violence and other harmful practices against young women and girls; and
3. Showcasing and documenting youth-led social innovations addressing gender-based violence women, girls and youth in Africa.
4. Inter generational and inter community dialogue and learning to end violence against women

GUEST SPEAKERS:

1. Pierre Sané- Founder & President of Imagine Africa Institute
2. Makhtar Sow- Projet GELD
3. Demba Gueye- Fondateur de la plateforme KEBETU

HASHTAGS :

#genderataya, #hearmetoo, #16days, #heforshe #kebetu

Media Inquiries:

 Ababacar Loum

ababacar.loum@unwomen.org