Every ten minutes, a woman loses her life at the hands of an intimate partner or family member.

This harrowing reality is highlighted in the “Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate Partner/Family Member Femicides” report by the UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In response to this crisis, a continental media forum on combating violence against women and girls in Africa has opened in Senegal.

Organized by the Africa Media Network for Health & Environment Promotion (REMAPSEN) with support from UN Women and Fonds Français Muskoka, the forum focuses on "Respect for Human Rights and Empowerment of Girls and Women."

It seeks to mobilize the media’s role in amplifying women’s rights and dismantling one of Africa’s most pressing human rights challenges - gender-based violence.

In his opening remarks, the President of REMAPSEN, Bamba Youssouf, emphasized the critical role of the media in reversing this devastating trend.

“When borders are open, they must be open to human rights,” he declared, urging media practitioners to become advocates for dignity and care for women across the continent.

Deputy Regional Director of UN Women for West and Central Africa, Mireille Kamitatu, underscored the grim statistics: “Every ten minutes, a woman is killed by an intimate partner. Sixty percent of female homicides are committed by someone they care about.”

She described violence against women as a blatant violation of human rights and called on the media to expose these realities, champion survivors, and demand transformative action.

“No country in Africa has yet eliminated violence against women,” Kamitatu revealed, pointing to persistent practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.

“We need bold legislation, transformative political will, and determined actions to end impunity and dismantle harmful societal norms,” she urged.

The forum, which coincides with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, has brought together 65 participants, including journalists, advocates, and policymakers.

Through collaborative sessions, they aim to craft actionable strategies to challenge narratives that normalise abuse, amplify survivor voices, and promote inclusive policies that protect women’s rights.

Representing Senegal’s Minister of Family and Solidarity, Oumar Sanab reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing gender inequality and violence.

“Transforming mentalities is key. This is not just a fight for women; it is a fight for the future of our continent,” he said.

As discussions unfold, the forum holds the promise of sparking bold, collaborative actions that will ensure women and girls across Africa are no longer silenced, but empowered to thrive in societies that respect their dignity and rights.