Say No to Violence - The campaign continues in 2010

Last year more than 5 million others  joined UNIFEM’s Say NO initiative to make ending violence against women a global priority. Thank you once more for your support.  

Starting on 6 November 2009, UNIFEM will take the initiative one step further and launch a new platform for action, Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women.

Say NO – UNiTE will encourage individuals, organizations and governments to take action to stop this pervasive human rights violation: up to 70 percent of women experience sexual or physical violence from men in their lifetime! Through the power of the Internet and social media, we will count and report on each action — and connect Say NO – UNiTE supporters to each other as part of an unprecedented global movement for change.

Say NO’s initial goal is to reach 100,000 actions by March 2010.

UNIFEM suggests how you can help today:

1. "Inspire others: Let us know your ideas for actions to take, such as volunteering at a domestic violence hotline, signing a petition to support policies that protect women from abuse or hosting a bake sale to raise money. We know that you have many more ideas and we will share them on the Say NO web site. Just reply to this email.
2. Add to our list of blogs: Do you have a blog? Write for one? Know of blogs you think could be partners on the issue? If so, please email our associate Hugh McMullen (hmcmullen@fenton.com) with the blog names and the links. We will include them in our outreach.  

Once the platform is officially launched, we hope you will be among the first to sign up and have your own action counted toward our initial 100,000 actions goal. Together we can expand the global Say NO coalition of people determined to put an end to violence against women."

 

Say No to Violence

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women will receive $100,000 from the United Nations Foundation for 100,000 signatures.

Your signature brings $1
to help end violence against women

So far (February 2008) , half a million people
have already signed up.

To add your signature go to: Say No to Violence

 

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women   November 25 

The origins of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25th, go back to 1960, when the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were assassinated for their political activism.

The sisters, known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies," became a symbol of the crisis of violence against women in Latin America. November 25th was the date chosen to commemorate their lives and promote global recognition of gender-based violence.

In December 1999, at their 54th Session, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring November 25th the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an annual global campaign that originated from an International Institute of feminist activists who met at the Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University, NJ, USA in 1991. The campaign begins on November 25th, runs through World AIDS Day on December 1st and ends on Human Rights Day on December 10th. Since it was started, more than 1,700 organizations in 130 countries have participated, using the annual campaign as an organizing strategy to call attention to gender-based violence and the need for better resources to combat it.

The theme for 2004 is "For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World: No More Violence" with specific emphasis on the intersection between violence against women and the spread of HIV/AIDS. The theme complements the theme of World AIDS Day 2004, on "Women and AIDS," and also follows on the attention received at the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok in July 2004 on the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls.

United Nations officials, led by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, stressed the need for building a world in which women enjoy their rights and freedoms on an equal basis with men.

“Violence against women is global in reach, and takes place in all societies and cultures,” he said in a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “It affects women no matter what their race, ethnicity, social origin, birth or other status may be.”

Gender-based violence is particularly pervasive in situation of armed conflicts, when women and girls become victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence.

For more information, please visit Not a Minute More  <http://www.unifem.org/campaigns/november25/> UNIFEM's web pages on November 25th and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

 

 

16 Days of Activism To Stop Violence Against Women

When: 25 November 2007

The NSW theme for 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women 2007 is "Take Action To Stop Violence Against Women".

The Violence Against Women Specialist Unit is coordinating a calendar of local, regional and state-wide NSW activities for this international campaign during 25 November – 10 December and making resources to assist family, friends, organisations and businesses to take practical steps to help stop violence against women.

1. Put these dates in your diary for 2007

25 November - International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women & White Ribbon Day
6 December - Anniversary of the Montreal massacre
7 December - NSW Stop Domestic Violence Day
10 December - World Human Rights Day

2. Join in the 16 Days mailing list to receive updates about 16 Days events, NSW Stop Domestic Violence Day, resources and activity ideas. Please email vaw-unit@community.nsw.gov.au

3. Find out 16 Ways you can help stop violence against women

4. Find out ways men can stop violence against women

5. Start thinking about planning a 16 Days event to raise awareness about violence against women in your community.

Download the Event Organiser's Kit for ideas
Add your activity to the 16 Days of Activism event calendar

Background

Established in 1991, the international campaign 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence Against Women officially begins on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day) and ends on December 10 (World Human Rights Day), to highlight the connection between women, violence and human rights.

This 16-day period also includes other significant dates such as December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

In 1989 fourteen women were shot dead in the Montreal School of Engineering by a young man, who believed it was because of female students that he was not accepted into the engineering school. This brutal act triggered the creation of the White Ribbon Campaign - a global initiative by Canadian men. White Ribbon Day (25 November) is the largest effort by men across the world, working in partnership with women to end violence against women.

Source: Community Builders NSW

RECLAIM THE WOMEN’S POLICY AGENDA 

When: 26 October 2007 

The Australian Democrats have called on both major parties to step up their commitment to the development and support of national anti-violence awareness campaigns, ahead of the Reclaim the Night marches due to take place around Australia tonight.  

“According to the ABS, an estimated 1.3 million Australian women experienced partner violence in 2005, which is 17% of all women,” Democrats Spokesperson for the Status of Women, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said. 

“We need more than a national 24-hour phone number to combat domestic violence in Australia. Key education and prevention programs, increased financial assistance, and the recognition of domestic violence in federal legislation, are all essential components to combating violence against women in this country. 

“The global Reclaim the Night marches demonstrate the significant public support for an end to violence against women,” Democrats’ lead Senate candidate, Ruth Russell said.

“We are all responsible for seeing that victims' rights are strengthened and that abusers are not protected, whether they are the police, doctors, counsellors, teachers, family, or anyone in a special position of trust and care. 

“In 2002–03, Access Economics estimated the total cost of partner violence in Australia to be $8.1 billion, including a $3.5 billion estimated cost associated with pain, suffering and premature death,” Senator Stott Despoja said. 

“It is now time for the major parties to reveal their plans to ensure women’s safety is on top of their policy agenda.