Photo credits: Chewy Lin

The annual international 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender Based Violence kicked off in Majuro on Monday 25, with a rally from Rita to the College of the Marshall Island basketball court.

The opening ceremony for the event was injected with the joyous energy from a performance by the Girl Guides, led by the indefatigable Miss Mei and her unflagging commitment to girls’ empowerment.

This year's theme for 16 Days of Activism is UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls, on the occasion of the celebration 30 years since the Beijing Declaration.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign beginning on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concluding on 10th December, Human Rights Day.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world, and the RMI is no exception.

Gender Based Violence (GBV) exists in many forms and has detrimental physical, psychological, social and economic consequences for individuals, families and communities across the RMI. Statistically, more than half of the women in the RMI experience intimate partner violence (IPV), and as much as 62% of girls experience physical abuse.

Each year the 16 Days of Activism campaign strives to bring these statistics down, by continuing to involve the whole community to fight for a world without violence, respectful of the human rights of all, and peaceful enough for all women and girls to thrive and flourish.

Below is a list of all the activities during the next 16 days. We encourage everyone in the community to get involved in whatever capacity possible.

The campaign could not be possible without the participation and support of the GRMI, USP, WUTMI, CMI, MICNGO’s, MOHHS, SPC, Micronesian Legal Services Corporation, Pacific Women, The Girls Guide.

The opening ceremony was hosted by MOCIA Rubida Hermios and broadcast live by V7AB Radio Station by Radio Director William Ring, assisted by CMI Productions Manager Alindol Candle.

Nov 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women;
Nov 26: Girl Guide Club Skits, CMI counselling men's new perception on depression;
Nov 27: Girl Guide Club Wellness;
Nov 28: GGC Thanksgiving Lunch;
Nov 29:  Wear Orange;
Nov 30: Girl Guide Community Services;
Dec 01: World AIDS Day;
Dec 02: International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, Disability opening week;
Dec 03: Building Codes Workshop;
Dec 04: International Volunteer Day, Building Code Disability Training;
Dec 05: Disability Mini Olympic;
Dec 06: Public Holiday;
Dec 10: Human Rights Day, USP Workshop on HR, Reclaim the Night;
Dec 11: International; Migration Day.

For more information contact the relevant organisations hosting individual events.

The Marshall Islands Mayors Association is hosting the 33rd MIMA Conference on July 10th to the 12th, 2024. MIMA Conference is an event that prioritizes raising the standards of living conditions of the people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The aim of the conference is to bring together Local Government and National Government leaders for an information sharing and updating on matters of the Neighboring Islands. The need to work together in addressing gaps and steps in contributing to our mission in elevating the standard of living in the Republic of the Marshall Islands is deemed necessary even more today as the Nation continues to resolve issues and face new challenges.

Issues of Concerns:

1. Nuclear Legacy
2. Climate Change
3. Income opportunity Program - Promoting Alternative livelihood projects and value added programs.
   
4. Fisheries - Promote Neighbor Island Fisheries Development, focused on creating job opportunities. Fish farming, aquaculture projects.
   
5. Food Security
6. Neighboring Island Development - Infrastructures that promote economic developments
7. Gender Equality
8. Minimum Wage
9. Placing People’s representatives (Mayors) on top government boards to represent the needs & concerns of the people
10. Democracy

Other than Nuclear issues, Climate Change is one of the more challenging issue our nation is currently facing today. We are experiencing more frequent and severe droughts, unpredictable weathers, constant floods, rapid coastal erosion and  emerging sea level rise to say the least and it is through this conference that the Mayors for all 24 Local jurisdiction vocal the people’s concerns in a public manner all the while formulating an Agenda for the joint RMI Executive Leadership Conference.

One of the negative impacts of these issues is the securing of our food sources. This impact on Food Security also effects Water Security which then causes numerous health risks. Along with other challenges such as lack of basic needs, lack of income opportunity programs and projects, infrequent sea Field Trips with very limited resources, be it monetary or logistical, these are all major contributing factors to these issues.
   
The MIMA Conference provides an opportunity for the people once a year, to witness how the consortium mainstreams these issues and concerns leading up to the RMI Executive Leadership Conference. During this Conference, a constructive dialogue between the Local Governments and National Government is held,  resulting in a Joint Communique.

For more information please visit: https://www.spc.int/15-Triennial-Conference-Pacific-Women