She Leads statement delivered at the HRC53 Annual Discussion on Women’s Rights
Gender-based violence, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and harassment, poses a substantial barrier to the engagement of girls and young women in politics. Beyond the threat of injury, this pervasive violence instills fear, shame, and even potential ostracization from other public and private spaces. It is crucial to directly confront this violence and institutionalize participation in politics without the fear of retaliation from family, society, or political actors.
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We call upon States to enact and enforce laws against violence against girls and young women in the public and political sphere, to protect their fundamental rights. States must create and offer mentorship programs, leadership training, and capacity-building workshops to equip girls and young women with the skills and knowledge to navigating political spaces effectively. Most importantly, in the pursuit to ensure this engagement of girls and young women, the process to achieve this goal must involve consultation, inclusion, and co-creation with girls and young women.
Read the full statement here