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It’s been called the “shadow pandemic.” As millions of people around the world continue to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns and changes to regular services, incidents of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) have increased worldwide.

The Canadian Red Cross is working to enhance the capacity of the Mali Red Cross in developing and implementing programs to help communities become stronger, healthier, and more resilient. This led the Canadian Red Cross team in Mali, in partnership with the Mali Red Cross and the MHSD, to launch a component of a project for people with disabilities.

Lucia Lasso is one of two full-time Head of Emergency Operations with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which means she’s almost always thinking about disasters. But even when she’s not actively engaged in an operation, she spends her time thinking about how the Red Cross can respond to emergencies more effectively. This includes encouraging other women to aspire to positions of leadership.

From November 25 to December 10, we mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. This is a time when we shine a light on gender-based violence happening in our communities and around the world – as well as the work being done to put an end to it.