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New: VACS Datasets Publicly Available for Colombia and Zimbabwe Providing access to crucial data on violence against children and youth Together for Girls is excited to announce that the raw VACS datasets for Colombia and Zimbabwe are now publicly available. So far, 12 governments in four regions around the world that have conducted Violence Against [...]
Colombia Eliminates Statute of Limitations Responding to Violence and Ensuring Survivors can Access Justice When Nelson Hincapie was 12 years old, he began experiencing sexual abuse by a trusted teacher. “When I look back on the abuse now, it’s obvious that I wasn’t the only kid he groomed and abused,” Nelson says. To [...]
7 Hopeful Highlights From 2020 Reflecting on an Unprecedented Year As 2020 comes to a close, we are reflecting on this difficult, unprecedented year. It may not have looked like what we planned, but as think about the past year there are undeniable moments of collaboration and partnership that provide hope as we prepare for [...]
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We are delighted to launch our new Kenya storytelling hub. Propelled by the first Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) in 2010, Kenya raised awareness, mobilized resources, and prioritized a decade of action to end violence against children. The results from the second VACS, launched earlier this year, show that these efforts paid off. Change is possible.
Protecting Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa During COVID-19 SOLUTIONS SPOTLIGHT Editor's Note: At Together for Girls, we focus on data-driven solutions to prevent violence against children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re highlighting evidence-based interventions, strategies, and resources with our “Solutions Spotlight” series. While many children and adolescents are out of school and staying home [...]
Solutions Spotlight: Four Actions You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe in the US The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing silent pandemic of sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse against children. Timely action by Congress can #keepkidssafe. Together for Girls, Darkness to Light, Child USA and the National Children’s Alliance are joining forces with a [...]
Protecting Women and Children in Latin America and the Caribbean During COVID-19 This week, we’re highlighting interventions from Latin America and the Caribbean that help keep women and children safe from violence, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. SOLUTIONS SPOTLIGHT Editor's Note: At Together for Girls, we focus on data-driven solutions to prevent violence against [...]
Meet Dr. Andrés Villaveces: Helping drive action to end violence against children in Latin America Andrés Villaveces MD, MPH, Ph.D., is a Lead Scientist for the Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys (VACS) in Latin America with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Throughout his career as a global epidemiologist, Dr. Villaveces [...]
5 Things We’re Reading This Week - March 30, 2020 As COVID-19 remains at the center of the global conversation, we’ve seen an increase in articles highlighting how home quarantines can put victims at further risk of violence. However, many articles also highlight resources to assist survivors and prevent violence, such as this positive parenting [...]
Together for Girls rang the the New York Stock Exchange opening bell on Monday, September 16, to celebrate a decade of partnership. The moment came almost exactly 10 years after Together for Girls was founded in September 2009 by Gary Cohen, Executive Vice President of Global Health at BD and President of the BD Foundation. [...]
Together for Girls (TfG) released a new case study highlighting groundbreaking country-led action to end violence against children and youth from a decade of the partnership’s collective work in Tanzania. The study, Accelerating Action to Address Violence Against Women and Children: Key Lessons from the Together for Girls Partnership in Tanzania, showcases how the Government [...]
It’s no easy feat mobilizing world-renowned organizations to collaborate together around a common, highly challenging cause. And for anyone familiar with the global health sector, change doesn’t happen overnight. But for Gary Cohen, Founder of Together for Girls (TfG), change is possible with “deep passion, common motives, effective facilitation and constant persistence.” That’s how [...]
In her home country of Kenya, Lydia Tabuke is a Project Manager at Sisari Women’s Initiative Group, leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) programming. She is a TfG Every Hour Matters (EHM) Youth Champion, working to bring together youth to support their peers in quickly accessing post-rape care. As an EHM Champion, Lydia [...]
It’s the most wonderful time of the year—Women Deliver. This year, Together for Girls (TfG) is participating in the world’s largest conference on gender equality and the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women in a big way. From a conference-long interactive booth space to organizing and hosting multiple side events, we’ll be out [...]
On May 15, 2019, the Government of El Salvador launched the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS), the second VACS report published in Latin America. In El Salvador, the VACS process was led by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security with support from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), International [...]
On May 8, 2019, the Government of the Republic of Honduras launched the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS), the first report of its kind in Latin America. The Honduras VACS report includes groundbreaking information on the intersections of violence against children and migration. At the high-level launch event in Tegucigalpa, the First Lady [...]
This is the third installment in Together for Girls’ featured series “Solutions Spotlight”, a collection of stories on recent innovative initiatives in violence prevention and response specifically impacting children, provided by the Impact and Innovation for Development Centre (IIDC). IIDC is a non-governmental organization seeking to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable groups (such [...]
This is the second installment in Together for Girls’ featured series “Solutions Spotlight," a collection of stories on recent innovative initiatives in violence prevention and response specifically impacting children, provided by the Impact and Innovation for Development Centre (IIDC). IIDC is a non-governmental organization seeking to improve the wellbeing of vulnerable groups (such as [...]
Over the next few weeks, Together for Girls is pleased to feature the “Solutions Spotlight" series, a collection of stories on recent innovative initiatives in violence prevention and response specifically impacting children, provided by the Impact and Innovation for Development Centre (IIDC). IIDC is a non-governmental organization seeking to improve the well-being of vulnerable [...]
As 2018 comes to a close, Together for Girls (TfG) reflects on five accomplishments made over the past year that advance our partnership’s collective goal to end violence against children and youth: 1. 2018 marks a record-breaking number of Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS) report launches. Lao PDR, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia hosted high level events [...]
Here's to the every day #SafeHeroes. From a forward-looking UNICEF child protection officer to a courageous young survivor turned DREAMS Ambassador, from a tireless community advocate to a doctor working in a one-stop center, these unsung heroes show us that tackling global problems starts with individual action.
On November 7, 2018, the Government of the Republic of Zambia hosted a high-level event in Lusaka to launch the first-ever national report on the Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS), also known as Zambia’s Health and Wellbeing Survey (H-Well). Zambia’s VACS report provides never-before seen data on the prevalence, nature and consequences […]
Dr. Paul Zeitz is a physician, an epidemiologist and long standing advocate for justice and human rights, including children’s rights. He is the author of the recently released book, Waging Justice, a Doctor’s Journey to Speak Truth and Be Bold and serves as the Co-Founder of SDG Compacts and the Sustainable Development Games at the […]
September 4, 2018 By Gustavo Bardales, Director of the Safer Municipalities Program, Sub Secretary of Security in Prevention, Government of Honduras On September 4, 2018, President Juan Orlando Hernández of the Republic of Honduras invited government officials, civil society organizations and development partners to the Casa Presidencial for a special event to […]
Sitawa Wafula is a Kenyan mental health advocate and survivor of sexual violence. When we asked Sitawa what advice she has for fellow survivors, she knew exactly what she wanted to say: “Whatever you do, do not let what happened silence you.” Sitawa’s courage to speak out about her experiences led her to create […]
By Zoe Colgin In 2016, Together for Girls launched the Every Hour Matters (EHM) campaign to increase awareness of the importance of quickly accessing post-rape care. We wanted to spread a critical but little-known message: every hour matters after rape to receive time-sensitive services, including post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV, and emergency contraception to [...]
Everyone has a role to play in ending sexual violence. Read our round-up of actions you can take, from supporting survivors to starting conversations with your family and friends: 1) Learn more: Learn how the issue is impacting your local community, your nation and the world, and then share with friends and family. […]
Participants at a Honduras VACS meeting on March 20, 2018. Photo courtesy of Gustavo Bardales. National leaders, especially governments, play a crucial role in the data-to-action process. To support national engagement across sectors, Together for Girls is piloting a Data-to-Policy Fellowship in Honduras, the first Latin American country to complete a Violence Against […]
During the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, Together for Girls, Women Deliver and Girl Up hosted “Violence Knows No Borders.” Convening global leaders and youth advocates, the event highlighted the latest evidence-based and youth-led solutions in violence prevention and response. The Honourable Maryam Monsef, the Minister of Status of Women for Canada, […]
By Zoe Colgin January 2, 2018 2017 was a whirlwind year, chock-full of important triumphs and challenges for the global community. For those of us working to end violence against women and children, 2017 was marked by renewed momentum and important global conversations. As we set our sights on the year ahead, let’s rewind […]
By Daniela Ligiero December 22, 2018 As I look back at 2017, there’s no doubt that it was a watershed year for those of us committed to ending violence against girls and women. Not only because more and more survivors who have the courage to come forward are being believed—but also because global leaders […]
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25-December 10) raise awareness and galvanize global support to end violence against women and girls around the world. But the conversation doesn’t stop on December 10! Read on for six ways to join the global conversation and get involved with this year’s #16Days movement, joining Together [...]
“Empowerment of and investment in girls are key in breaking the cycle of discrimination and violence and in promoting and protecting the full and effective enjoyment of their human rights” -United Nations Resolution 66/170 The United Nations declared October 11 International Day of the Girl, a day to celebrate progress and galvanize […]
Did you know that every hour matters if you or someone you know is raped? Hundreds of millions of people—including many children—are subjected to sexual violence, yet very few survivors ever tell anyone about the experience or access health services or mental health support to help them heal. Many do not understand the importance of [...]
By Daniela Ligiero, CEO Together for Girls December 7, 2016 Heroes: they come in all forms. They come to us under the guise of “survivor,” of “friend,” of “advocate.” And nowadays, more than ever, it seems everyone in the world could use a hero. Here at Together for Girls, we deal with data. The data [...]
By Faith Zumazuma October 13, 2016 In January 2015, Malawi was hit by deadly floods that claimed more than 1,000 lives. As one of the counselors in the Tithandizane (meaning “let’s support each other”) National Child Helpline in Malawi, I supported abused children who walked into the center or called its toll free line. [...]
By Meghana Kulkarni August 31, 2016 “I say this in front of you all that her name was Jyoti Singh.” Last December, Asha Singh named her daughter as the Delhi rape victim who had since been known as “Nirbhaya” or “One Without Fear.” Speaking on the third anniversary of the brutal attack, she condemned [...]
By Leah Obugo July 19, 2016 It is true that gender-based violence exists, and we cannot pretend that it does not have a huge impact on our communities, our societies, and ultimately, the world. In my community, violence against women and girls occurs on a daily basis, and only a few cases are reported, while [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift July 6, 2016 Imagine you are a 14-year old girl living in the countryside of Ethiopia, playing with friends after school. Walking home with an extra stride of confidence because your teacher lauds your academic performance, you are excited to tell your parents about your day. However, your joy quickly turns [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift May 10, 2016 Tom Clarke, the digital campaigns officer at Youth For Change, shares how youth are leading a global platform for girls’ rights issues. “Youth participation makes him happy.” That is what Tom Clarke says in his Twitter bio. As the digital campaigns officer at Youth For Change(YFC) — a [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift May 9, 2016 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) serve as a global agenda of accountability to address and end inequalities, injustices, and prejudices that affect the world. With 17 goals and 169 indicators, the goals are a plan of action to end poverty, protect the planet and humanity, and ensure peace and prosperity. [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift April 28, 2016 Men are polishing one digit to help stop violence against children For every heart-wrenching news story we come across, there’s always a bright spot we can focus on as well. Here, we provide some of the good, the bad—and the ugly—situations that have taken place across the world [...]
By Nita Ismaili, Global Girl Media Kosovo April 27, 2016 The night had fallen on the village Pobërgjë, near Deçan vicinity in the Western part of Kosovo, and all were asleep when a girl had the courage to leave home. At that time, the 17-year-old could not consent to the fate predetermined by her family [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift April 12, 2016 “Hey, baby! You’re looking real good in that dress!” “Why aren’t you talking to me — I said, hello!” “Smile, woman! You’d look prettier if you did.” Irrespective of geographic location, race, age, language, sexual orientation and culture, thousands of women and girls experience street harassment. According [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift March 14, 2016 During the UN Women’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Together for Girls had the opportunity to collaborate on a CSW panel with the International Council of Jewish Women, U.S. Fund For UNICEF titled “Protect Our Girls: Sexualization, Exploitation, and the Media.” This article is an extension [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift March 2, 2016 Girls from all over the world used their artistic talents to illustrate barriers and solutions to gender inequities that stop them from reaching their full potential. Art is a powerful storytelling tool. Whether it is through the use of photography, short stories, poems or paintings, art as a [...]
By Fatima Awil February 10, 2016 Fatima Awil, a founding member of Youth For Change UK, and youth advocate for African women’s diaspora organization FORWARD, explains why involving young men and boys are essential in the fight against female genital mutilation. Although it’s well recognised that boys and young men are crucial in ending the battle [...]
November 6, 2015 How embedding health messages in a popular TV show in Kenya and Nigeria is helping young people stay safe all over the African continent In November 2009, MTV Shuga, a TV soap opera featuring the lives of young Africans, debuted on MTV Base. Commissioned by MTV Networks Africa in association with the [...]
By Jaimee A. Swift November 6, 2015 What makes a hero? Someone who walks toward a problem, not away from it. Someone who puts others before themselves even if doing so puts themselves at risk. Someone who translates their own pain or hardship into solutions and salve for others. Someone who digs deep beneath an [...]
By Lauren Richards November 3, 2015 A Virginia teen blogs on the importance of comprehensive sex ed and the culture of consent Growing up as a teenager in Arlington, Virginia (a suburb five minutes outside of Washington, D.C.), I was exposed to both ends of the cultural spectrum. In D.C., and in most areas [...]
By Zoe Colgin November 2, 2015 A new global campaign encourages activists to set the world ablaze…orange Lifeboats. Hunting vests. Construction markers. Many of the world’s bright orange objects are designed to protect. Safety or blaze, orange sets things apart from their surroundings: it is a signal for caution—keeping people from harm. No [...]
November 2, 2015 Bobby Bear takes the solace of the teddy bear to new heights Since the first pair of tiny hands clutched one, the teddy bear has been a symbol of comfort to children. Operation Bobbi Bear, a human rights organization that assists sexually abused children in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has taken [...]
November 1, 2015 A social media campaign calls men and women to shatter stigma surrounding feminine hygiene Merriam Webster Dictionary’s definition of a tampon is “a piece of soft material (such as cotton) that is placed in the vagina to absorb the blood that occurs during menstruation.” On balance, a tampon is not really [...]
By Zoe Colgin September 13, 2015 How A New Survey is Transforming the Nation’s Response to Violence Against Children On the evening of April 14, 2014, 276 female students were kidnapped from the Government Secondary School in the town of Chibok in Borno State. Boko Haram, an Islamic Jihadist terrorist group based in northeast [...]
By Caroline Kambona & Julie Mwabe October 1, 2014 Gender-based violence (GBV) continues to be a global epidemic that primarily affects women and girls worldwide. Findings from Kenya’s Gender Violence Recovery Centre’s 2011-2012 annual report showed that 90 percent of the 2,954 GBV cases at the center that year were reported by women and girls. [...]
August 13, 2014 An art contest explores beautiful solutions to stopping violence Picture this: Imagine a world where all girls have equal access to education and health information and services. Imagine a community where girls can thrive in safe spaces and no longer fear violence. Imagine a society where girls are not discriminated against [...]
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