If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know what WE do at Nellie’s to support women and children who are escaping violence and abuse, so as part of the 16 Days to End Gender Violence we wanted to share the AMAZING work that other organizations are doing in this movement to end violence. Here are 5 fantastic organizations whose work we deeply admire and respect and encourage you to follow.
WHO ARE THEY: The Canadian Women’s Foundation is a national foundation dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls across the country. Guided by the wisdom of women’s lived experience and powered by their passion for social change, the CWF invests in programs and organizations (including Nellie’s) that move women and girls out of violence, out of poverty, and into confidence. Their Girls’ Fund supports all-girl programs that help build strong, confident girls through mentoring, physical activity, education, and group discussion.
WHY THEY’RE AWESOME: Because they believe that Canada will only reach its true potential when women and girls can reach theirs.
twitter: @cdnwomenfdn
facebook: facebook.com/CanadianWomensFoundation
web: www.canadianwomen.org
WHO ARE THEY: Founded in 1991, the White Ribbon Campaign is the largest global effort of men and boys working to end violence against women. The goals of the White Ribbon Campaign are challenging people to speak out about violence, educating young people (especially boys and men), raising public awareness, working in partnership with women’s organizations, and supporting White Ribbon Campaign initiatives around the world. Every year men are invited to step into women’s high heel shoes for the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraising event to raise money for White Ribbon.
WHY THEY’RE AWESOME: Because involving men and boys in the fight to end violence against women is crucial.
twitter: @whiteribbon
facebook: facebook.com/whiteribboncampaign
web: www.whiteribbon.ca
WHO ARE THEY: V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women, started by playwright, performer, and activist Eve Ensler. V-Day is an organized response against gender-based violence and demands that rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation, and sexual slavery must end NOW. The V-Day vision is a world where women live safely and freely. Every year for V-Day (February 14th), local groups are invited to stage a performance of one of Eve’s plays, with the proceeds going to a women’s shelter in their area. Last year, we were the proud recipients of proceeds from The University of Toronto/OISE’s production of The Vagina Monologues.
WHY THEY’RE AWESOME: Because Eve reclaimed February 14th, Valentine’s Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end violence because “love shouldn’t hurt.”
twitter: @vday
facebook: facebook.com/vday
web: www.vday.org
WHO ARE THEY: The Assaulted Women’s Helpline provides crisis counselling, emotional support, information, and referrals to women over the phone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in up to 154 languages. Information and support are also available to friends and family members of abused women, service providers and other professionals in contact with abused women. The Assaulted Women’s Helpline has answered more than 278,000 calls since 1985, and every year they help over 49,000 women in Ontario.
WHY THEY’RE AWESOME: Because counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support women in crisis.
twitter: @awhl
facebook: facebook.com/AssaultedWomensHelpline
web: www.awhl.org
WHO ARE THEY: Launched in November 2009 by UN Women, Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women is a social mobilization platform on ending violence against women and girls. Say NO – UNiTE showcases advocacy efforts and engages people from all walks of life, online and on the ground. When you go to the Say NO – UNiTE website you can sign-up to share the actions you are taking to end violence against women and invite others to join you. So far over 2 million actions have been taken globally.
WHY THEY’RE AWESOME: Because providing a forum for people to share their actions to end violence against women will inspire others to follow.
twitter: @SayNO_UNiTE
facebook: facebook.com/SayNO.UNiTE
web: www.saynotoviolence.org
