Theme: “From Awareness to Action”
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign which takes place annually from 25 November to 10 December. The campaign seeks to highlight and champion initiatives that encourage people to take part in ending Gender-based Violence.
(ACK) Significant dates during the campaign:
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
November 29: International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
December 1: World AIDS Day
December 5: International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
December 10: International Human Rights Day and the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
What is the Mothers’ Union Global Day?
Our first Global Day will be on 5th December. It focuses on the disturbing statistic that “1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced domestic or sexual abuse” and as a leading women’s organization, Mother’s Union holds this as unacceptable.
What is Gender-Based Violence?
- Gender-based violence (GBV) is any act of violence or abuse which is directed at an individual or group on the basis of their gender.
- It is important to note, therefore, that both women and men can be made targets of gender-based violence. However, it has been widely acknowledged that the majority of persons affected by gender-based violence are women and girls, as a result of the unequal distribution of power in society between women and men. Further, female victims of violence suffer specific consequences as a result of gender discrimination.
- Gender‐based violence against women is violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately.
- “Violence against women” is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women. It is all acts of gender‐based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
- Violence against women and girls is rooted in unequal power relations between men and women, and the underlying beliefs and values which accompany this, often manifesting as a means of control.
Gender-based violence occurs in every culture and context around the world. It can be carried out by a wide range of people, including partners; family members; those in the community; strangers; friends; those in positions of authority; armed groups; and the state. Let us work alongside communities to help end gender-based violence and to support those affected by it, every day of the year. We request our members to participate in the campaign, to raise awareness of, and call for an end to, gender-based violence in all forms and in all societies. Some of the activities are listed below:
Activities
- Visiting those affected by Gender-Based Violence and sharing information that can help:
- Visiting ante-natal clinics
- Reporting the perpetrators to the police and other legal offices
- Going to hospitals in case of affliction, being wounded, and how to get counselling sessions (FIDA, FAWE)
- Offering food and clothes to the affected
- Taking legal action on behalf of the survivors
- Empowering women through mentorship
The Global Day will be on Saturday, 5th December 2020, we request all members “to step out of their comfort zones” and be part of this campaign. Be a “voice to the voiceless.”
