ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has called on African countries to implement concrete actions so as to end violence against women and girls.

Faki made the call in a statement issued late Tuesday on the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls, which runs annually from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10.

"I urgently call on AU member states and all stakeholders to accelerate action to end violence against women and girls," Faki was quoted by the statement as saying.

"To ensure a future where violence is no longer a barrier to the empowerment and security of women and girls, it is urgent to transform our collective resolve into impactful and concrete measures, that will shape our societies into safe, equitable and inclusive spaces that uphold and protect the rights of women and girls," Faki said.

Noting that this year's commemoration of the campaign coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, Faki underscored the need to exert concerted efforts to eradicate violence against women and girls across the African continent.

"I urge member states and stakeholders to put in place tangible actions to end all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls," he said.

The AU Commission chairperson further called on African countries to allocate dedicated budgets to preventing violence against women and girls as well as supporting victims of gender-based violence. Enditem

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