For two years now, Equipop has been working alongside feminist associations in France and West Africa to prepare for the Generation Equality Forum. In France, Equipop co-leads the Générations Féministes collective, which brings together around 50 associations. In West Africa, we are working alongside the Network of Young Feminists of West Africa and the Rights and Health Alliance. Today, we are launching a global campaign with our partners to bring these different movements together around a clear message: enough talk, we need money to combat gender-based and sexual violence.
Five years after the #MeToo movement and numerous protests around the world, testimonies continue to reveal the extent and systemic nature of gender-based violence. This violence particularly affects people who suffer discrimination because of their disability, economic, social, or administrative situation, geographical origin, gender identity, age, skin color, sexual orientation, religion, or political opinion.
A glaring lack of funding to combat violence
On May 11, marking the tenth anniversary of the Istanbul Convention, 24 European ministers signed an open letter reaffirming their commitment to this historic text in the fight against violence against women. On May 12, Emmanuel Macron called for international mobilization "because we still have a lot to do, including in France." These political statements are important, but they are not enough: in addition to diplomatic action, it is urgent that countries around the world increase the financial resources allocated to the fight against violence in a sustainable and significant way. As co-organizer of the Generation Equality Forum, France has a double responsibility in this area, both in terms of its national and international action.
A global campaign to raise awareness
That is why the collectives Générations Féministes and #NousToutes are launching the campaign #StopTalkingStartFunding campaign. It is based on two demands:
- dedicate at least 0.1% of each state's gross domestic product (GDP) to combating gender-based and sexual violence sexual violence;
- guarantee and facilitate access to justice for victims.
Both collectives invite citizens to visit the campaign website: stoptalkingstartfunding.org to call on heads of state around the world to take action. The message is clear: to end gender-based violence, it is time to put money on the table. In other words: "Stop Talking, Start Funding"!
See you on June 23 for the Feminist World Tour
The campaign will culminate on June 23-24. One week before the Generation Equality Forum, the "Feminist World Tour: 24 hours to end violence". Feminists from every continent will unite to denounce the inaction of governments and demand more resources to combat gender-based violence.
Contact: stoptalkingstartfunding@gmail.com
Tara Mukeku-Cilolo, Communications Officer, Collectif Générations Féministes (Feminist Generations Collective)
