FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, December 9, 2022

Statement by Peace Corps Chief Executive Officer Thomas Peng on the Observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

For all inquiries related to Gender-Based Violence, please contact Troy Blackwell, Peace Corps’ Spokesperson, at [email protected].

“From November 23 to December 10, we acknowledge the observance of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign and stand in solidarity with advocates for violence prevention and gender equity. One in three women, approximately 736 million women globally, are subjected to physical or sexual violence, disproportionately impacting LGBTQ+ persons, persons with disabilities, and those in marginalized ethnic and racial communities.

Around the world, Peace Corps Volunteers proudly work side-by-side with local communities to address gender inequality and empower women and girls through health education, business development, and agricultural production activities, amongst others. An example of this work includes our Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) program, which helps girls develop self-esteem and leadership skills. Recognizing that men and boys must be equal partners in achieving gender equality, Volunteers also work with boys through our Teaching Our Boys Excellence (TOBE) camps to impart life skills.

And there is still more to do. At the Peace Corps, we have joined scores of communities and organizations that approach sexual violence as a societal-level and public health problem. We know that it is our duty to integrate sexual assault prevention programming and response work at every level of our operation. Recently, our Office of Sexual Assault Risk-Reduction and Response (SARRR) has been renamed as the Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) to reflect our programmatic shift to a public health prevention model. Over the last year, SAPR has intentionally and continuously enhanced its program and other agency work to mitigate risk for the safety of our Volunteers and improved trauma-informed, survivor-centered reporting and support systems, including the implementation of telehealth services to ensure rapid access to clinical care.

Violence, in all its forms, is a direct threat to our mission of promoting world peace and friendship. We at the Peace Corps will continue to support the U.S. National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality and increase prevention efforts.”

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