Certain campaigns that aim to change the world for the better can often sound like one of those ‘Big Asks’ that business people like to talk so much about; A task that seems so mammoth that, depressingly, the outcome feels unreachable. But mammoth tasks somehow seem all the more maneagable when everyone gets involved – which is why Say No-Unite need you to get on board and say no to violence against women!
This global campaign, launched in November 2009, aims to make violence against women a top priority worldwide through social action and engagement;
Actions can range from reaching out to students at schools, to volunteering at local shelters, advocating for legislation or donating funds towards programmes that protect women and girls from violence. Every action will be counted to showcase the global groundswell of engagement that exists on the issue.
Prosecute those who command and/or commit sexual violence and exclude them from armies and police forces after conflict.
Ensure that women participate in peace negotiations and all post-conflict decision-making institutions.
Increase the number of women in troops, police forces and civilians within international peacekeeping efforts.
There’s now less than one week left to add your name to the petition, so get a move on! Read more here, follow the campaign on twitter, learn more from the video below… and help the world to ‘realise a vision that is ambitious, but must never be impossible.’
As well as being the United Nations Elimination of Violence Against Women Day, today is also White Ribbon Day – a day set up by the White Ribbon Campaign. Each year the campaign urges men and boys to wear a white ribbon for one week, starting today, to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women. Wearing a white ribbon acts as a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.
The campaign is an interesting and much needed one because it takes the onus of responsibility surrounding male violence against women away from women and sees men as part of the solution. Here is some information from the campaign’s educational material;
Why violence against women is also a men’s issue:
*Men are the main perpetrators of violence
*The lives of partners, friends, sisters and daughters of men are damaged by violence and abuse
*Men can speak out and intervene when male friends and relatives insult or attack women
*Men can help create a culture where the behaviour of a minority, who treat women and girls with contempt or violence, becomes unacceptable
*Men can examine their own behaviour and consider changes which will create a world based upon gender equality
10 things men can do to help prevent male violence against women:
1. Realise that gender violence is a men’s issue that affects women we care about
2. Never remain silent – confront abusive behaviour of other men
3. Understand how our own attitudes and actions may perpetuate sexism and violence – work towards changing them
4. Offer help and support if we suspect a woman is being threatened
5. Respect women and treat them as equals
6. Ally with women who are working to end all forms of gender violence
7. Speak out against homophobia
8. Educate ourselves about masculinity, gender inequality and the root causes of gender violence
9. Mentor young men about ways to be men that do not involve degrading or abusing women
10. Refuse to purchase any magazines, videos or music that portrays women in a degrading or violent manner
Today, the 25th November, is the United Nations Elimination of Violence Against Women Day and, to mark the day, there will be candle lit vigils held in both London and Edinburgh.
Million Women Rise, along with other women’s organisations, like Object, the Women and Girls’ Network and Roshni, are inviting self-identified women and male allies to come along and bring a candle to light in remembrance of all women who have suffered male violence.
To mark the first annual Anti Street-Harassment Day, Dearbhaile Kitt reports on a growing movement that is aiming to put a stop to this most anti-social sexist practise.
Stephanie Phillips, of Don’t Dance Her Down Boys blog, went along to the launch event for UK Feminista to see what prospects the site might hold for the advancement UK women’s movement.
