Yesterday, November 25th, was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. We will be joining women around the world to raise awareness on this year’s theme of militarism and its impact on women, From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!
In 2012, we have heard many horrific cases of violence against women. From 15-year old Malala Yousufzai shot in the head by the Taliban in her home country of Pakistan as she left school on October 9th, to Brampton principal Debra Allan killed by her husband in a murder-suicide last month, violence against women knows no boundaries. While ending violence should be a priority every day of the year, for the next 16 days the world will come together in an effort to raise awareness and share solutions so that all women can live free from the threat of violence.
The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign involves 4100 organizations in 172 countries. This year, in keeping with the theme of militarism and it’s impact on women, the 16 Days Campaign has partnered with the International Campaign to Stop Rape & Gender Violence in Conflict to “demand bold political leadership to prevent rape in conflict, to protect civilians and rape survivors, and call for justice for all—including effective prosecution of those responsible.” If you visit their webpage, you can make a personal pledge to support the end of rape and gender violence in conflict. There is more information about this campaign in the video below:
[youtube=http://youtu.be/kZgcCpSk3xU]
During the next two weeks, there are eight important commemorative days in which we can raise awareness of the root causes of violence against women. They are:
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 2, International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 3, International Day for DisAbled Persons
December 5, International Volunteer Day
December 6, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 10, International Human Rights Day
This is the first blog in our 16 Days series. Stay tuned for blogs on Women and Militarism, World AIDS Day, The Abolition of Slavery, The International Day for DisAbled Persons, the Meaning of December 6, and International Human Rights Day and find out what you can do to end violence against women.
