Seno: The Association for Environmental Management and Development (AGED) organized an awareness and advocacy session on gender-based violence (GBV) in Dori. The activity, aimed at members of community dialogue spaces, is part of the global 16 Days of Activism against GBV campaign, celebrated from November 25 to December 10. Held under the theme "Let's unite to end digital violence against women and girls," the meeting aims to strengthen communities' understanding of the forms of violence, their causes, impacts, and existing support mechanisms.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the gender equality advisor for the Women and Youth in Action for Sustainable Ecosystems (FAED) Project, Therese L. Dabire/Hien, stated that this initiative helps equip women, youth, and community leaders with knowledge about digital and physical violence realities. She emphasized the importance of collective commitment from local authorities, religious and customary leaders, community organizations, CSOs, and the media to create a protective environment.
Ms. Dabire highlighted that the activities will help promote positive masculinity and involve everyone in the fight against GBV. She also stressed the need to strengthen the participation of women and young people in dialogue spaces to promote inclusive governance and prevent conflicts related to gender inequalities. Additionally, she urged men to support women's empowerment and encourage their contribution to community development.
The event included a performance of a play titled "The Cry of Silence," illustrating the suffering experienced by victims of online violence. This performance was followed by a discussion forum for participants. The municipal coordinator of women's associations, Fatimata Dicko, noted that the 16 Days of Activism represent a strong period of awareness-raising and denunciation of violence against women and girls. She advocated for increased mobilization in support of protecting the rights of women and girls by handing over a message to the first vice-president of the special municipal delegation of Dori, advocating for the fight against GBV.
Ms. Dicko pointed out that the 2025 edition places particular emphasis on digital violence, including cyber harassment, blackmail, and the distribution of images without consent, threatening the dignity, safety, and civic participation of women and young people. She expressed gratitude to the FAED project and its partners for their continued efforts to promote gender equality.
The first vice-president of the special municipal delegation of Dori, Boureima Dicko, welcomed the municipality's choice to host this socially important activity. He reaffirmed the municipality's willingness to support all initiatives aimed at empowering women and girls, whom he described as "the linchpin of local development." Through this awareness session, AGED and its partners intend to strengthen community engagement to end violence against women and girls, particularly in the digital space. Participants were invited to play their part in the prevention, protection, and promotion of human rights to ensure a more just and inclusive social environment.