Statement from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina President of the African Development Bank Group – 16 Days of Activism 2022 Against Gender Based Violence | African Development Bank

Africa can only achieve its full development potential with its women. I have always insisted that no bird can fly or soar with one wing. Similarly, Africa can only fly on the wings of men and women.

For generations, agriculture has been a crucial part of the African economy. Most of the food Africa eats is produced by female farmers. Africa is also home to the highest percentage of female entrepreneurs in the world. In almost every country, the community and market for women successfully run micro, small and medium enterprises. In Africa’s C-suites, too, more and more women are in charge. But so much more needs to be done to achieve parity.

Progress towards the Africa we want is hampered by the appalling gender-based violence that takes many forms: physical, psychological, financial and online. Collectively, gender-based violence limits Africa’s economic growth.

Ending gender-based violence is also a human rights issue that calls for fairness and justice, as well as decency and respect for each other. This is a current urgency that must permeate our homes, workplaces, and the design and implementation of development projects for the people we serve.

Today – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – marks the start of the global campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. The 16 Days of Activism, which runs until December 10, 2022, is an important period to reflect on and act on solutions to end gender-based violence.

The African Development Bank Group embraces this campaign, the creation of the United Nations UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women initiative and the 16 Days of Activism theme for this “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls.”

This theme is consistent and in sync with our Ten Year Strategy (2013-2022) and Gender Strategy (2021-2025), as well as our High 5s Priority Areas which all advocate inclusiveness for Africa’s economic growth.

UN Women estimates that nearly one in three women worldwide has been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, a non-partner, or both, at least once in their lives.

Understanding this problem in Africa remains a challenge: only 18 of the 54 African countries have data on violence committed by an intimate partner. However, the Bank’s Gender Data Index survey shows that the prevalence of sexual or physical violence by intimate partners ranges from just over 10% to nearly 40% across Africa.

Our research also indicates that triggering factors arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and rising food and fuel prices in Africa will lead to increased gender-based violence across the continent. This entails major risks for the bank’s activities.

Last year I issued an internal presidential directive to reaffirm the Bank’s zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Also, the Bank has recently pledged a General Capital Increase to promote standards to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment internally in our workplace and in projects funded by the Bank. In addition, our Integrated Safeguard System provides guidelines for preventing gender-based violence in projects.

For Africa to truly flourish, we need to tackle a wide range of issues surrounding child marriage, violence against women and girls and female genital mutilation through reliable data, productive policy dialogue, advocacy and impactful projects.

The African Development Bank Group takes gender-based violence very seriously. Keep an eye out for updates on banking opportunities during the 16 Days of Activism campaign and beyond. Ultimately, we can all support advocacy and engagement in different ways. Through more inclusive data generation, consultations, programs and policies, attitude changes, mindset changes and by improving the quality of life of all people in Africa.

I stand for a non-violent world and workplace. And you should too!

Unit. Together we can end gender-based violence!

Thank you.