MESSAGES TO ADDRESS SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Girls and young women with disabilities face up to 10 times more gender-based violence than those without disabilities.

Many abuses go unreported due to fear, stigma and blaming the survivors.

1. Listen, Believe and Support survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

“By making a choice to tell someone that I was sexually abused, I hope I will be listened to, believed and supported.” Survivor

Many survivors are unwilling to relieve the ordeal through retelling it to people who will not only doubt them but blame them. We can only understand the magnitude of the effects of Sexual and Gender Based Violence when survivors speak out.

Listening, believing and supporting the survivor is one of the important steps in addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence. SARI creates safe spaces through drama, dance, music for survivors to share their story.

2. Taking a stand against Beliefs that lead to Sexual Abuse against Girls and Women with Intellectual and Physical Disabilities.

Girls and young women with disabilities face up to 10 times more gender-based violence than those without disabilities. Girls with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence.

“Sleeping with a female with a disability is a sure way to get wealthy and also be cured of HIV or any other Sexually Transmitted Diseases.”

“As a disabled woman, count yourself lucky if a man looks in your direction or even touches you.”

SARI engages young women as advocates of change against such beliefs.

3. Dismantling a rape culture

Rape culture is the social environment that allows sexual violence to be normalized and justified, fueled by the persistent gender inequalities and attitudes about gender.

Engaging men and women is key in dismantling a rape culture.

SARI empowers young men and women through human rights education and experience sharing to be advocates of social change against a rape culture.