Every year, the United Nations joins in observing “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” to draw attention to the global epidemic of violence against women and girls. This year, as the campaign launches, women around the world have begun speaking out about sexual harassment and assault loudly, urgently – and, at last, they are being heard.

They’ve been joined by millions of women and men in more than 80 countries, who are using social media to talk about the indignities, abuses, and horrors they have experienced. And perhaps for the first time at such a scale, people are taking notice. Powerful and prominent people are being called to account. Already some have been fired and others criminally investigated.

Yet, in many countries, too often these transgressions go unpunished. Sexual and gender-based violence often increases during crises. For example, Rohingya refugees fleeing into Bangladesh have reported horrific stories of sexual violence, and UNFPA-supported safe spaces and mobile clinics are providing lifesaving medical services, psychosocial counselling, and other services.

Read the full article by Dr. Natalia Kanem about stopping sexual harassment from the United Nations Foundation