16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
It’s never too late to be a voice to end violence. The final week of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (Nov. 25 – Dec. 10) sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University begins today (12/3).
Anglican Women’s Empowerment (AWE), the Episcopal Women’s Caucus (EWC), Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) have teamed up to promote this year’s Episcopal 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, November 25-December 10. …
The Episcopal 16 Days campaign targets faith communities in the Episcopal Church and challenges them to participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an international campaign sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University. Since its founding in 1991, more than 3,700 organizations in approximately 164 countries have participated in CWGL’s 16 Days campaign. The Episcopal Church began participating in 2010. (from the EWC E-newsletter of 29 November 2011)
Raising Awareness
“Since 1991, the annual 16 Days Campaign has mobilized more than 3,700 organizations in 164 countries to raise awareness about the pervasiveness of the multiple forms of violence women face. From Afghanistan to Iceland, the 16 Days Campaign has grown into a powerful platform to educate the public and governments about violence against women and human rights.” (from the 16 Days Press Release)
For the rest of the story: 16 Days Home Page. Hear what the Spirit is saying.
Local efforts to provide safety, raise awareness and offer “a hand up” include:
Shelter from the Storm (a Coachella Valley Resource)
Julian’s Housing Program for Women and Children (a program of Episcopal Community Services in San Diego)
Advent Calendar in one place
About the Online Advent Calendar
For further reflection
Official News Release about the campaign
New Brunswick, New Jersey—On November 25, 2011, the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) will launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. Hundreds of events by organizations worldwide are planned to campaign against gender-based violence, which is experienced by up to 70 % of women in their lifetime, according to the United Nations. It is estimated that worldwide, one in five women will experience rape or attempted rape. Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war, and malaria.
The 16 Days Campaign begins on November 25, the International Day Against Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day. These dates symbolically link violence against women and human rights, and emphasize that such violence is a human rights violation. The 16 Days Campaign theme, From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!, puts the spotlight on militarism and its role in perpetuating violence against women and girls. “The violence we encounter is often profoundly influenced by national, regional, and international policies and practices, and challenges us to act in solidarity to promote an end to militarism and violence against women,” says Dr. Radhika Balakrishnan, Executive Director of the Center for Women’s Global Leadership; the coordinator of the 16 Days Campaign.
Over 250 events are planned worldwide to call for an end to militarism and violence against women, including: A Silent No More! march through Yerevan, Armenia, focusing on violence against women; Across Alice Springs, Australia, a series of arts events focused on women’s resilience is organized, including a quilt exhibition; In Lagos, Nigeria, student trainings and dialogues with media outlets will be held to sensitize communities about gender-based violence; The Center for Women’s Global Leadership will co-host a Java n’ Justice Coffeehouse, featuring a military fashion show, at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA.
This year, the Center is also partnering with Stardoll to bring the 16 Days Campaign to the online media site’s over 130 million users between the ages of 13 and 17 years old. Since 1991, the annual 16 Days Campaign has mobilized more than 3,700 organizations in 164 countries to raise awareness about the pervasiveness of the multiple forms of violence women face. From Afghanistan to Iceland, the 16 Days Campaign has grown into a powerful platform to educate the public and governments about violence against women and human rights.
View or download the Official Press Release of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign
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Photo: 16 Days of Activism official website
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