Millions of women living around us face sexual and physical violence every day. 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Globally, 7% of women have been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner. And, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.
It is a heart-wrenching fact to mention, but there has been a significant increase in domestic violence and femicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has exacerbated conditions often leading to violence and has brutally impacted the livelihood of the women. It is like dealing with a psychological pandemic beneath the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UN-led “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
We at DUSA, have zero tolerance against Gender-Based Violence. We have collaborated with the Dundee City Council and the University of Dundee to stand with the annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
The Global 16 Days Campaign has been utilized by more than 6,000 organizations in over 187 countries. By joining us this year, you will be participating in collective advocacy that has reached over 300 million people and help raise awareness! The global theme for this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which will run from 25 November to 10 December 2022, is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.
Join us on 26 Nov – “Own the Night” event.
28 Nov “Reclaim the Night” march (Magdalen Green 6:30 pm to V&A finish 9 pm)
While there could be several reasons why an abuser abuses someone sexually, physically or emotionally, no reason could be justified to commit such a heinous crime on a humanitarian level. It could be a sheer outcome of the patriarchy or the result of financial hardship, childhood traumas, or deep-rooted issues. But it in no way justifies passing on one’s trauma to your partner or anyone around you.
This kind of ongoing violence hinders the growth of women in our society, some just go into hiding and some are made to believe that they don’t deserve a better life and they entirely give up on their dreams and aspirations. The worst part is when women start to accept that this is their fate and they will have to live with it. Can you believe that on average, 44% of women in the region consider that a husband is justified to hit his wife, with numbers going close to 80% in some countries?
“Nobody, really nobody should be made to undergo any form of abuse because of their gender. We should all unite to say no to Gender Based Violence and to fight against it. The fight should not be left to a few, everyone can get involved in their different ways. And please if you or anyone you know is going through any form of Gender Based Violence, please speak up, speak to your school, speak to DUSA, speak to the police. You don’t deserve it. Again, I say you do not deserve it. Please speak up and people will come around to support you. Abuse is not Love. Everyone is welcome to join all our activities at DUSA as we raise one voice against GBV”
Amarachi Ejim, MSc student in advanced social work studies and Vice President Student Wellbeing at DUSA
Gender Based Violence is a very sensitive issue but it is a human rights violation which cannot be ignored and should be stopped. It should not be restricted to a certain campaign and activism period, we must collaboratively work towards raising awareness in our society by educating people and helping them understand its brutalities. It requires collaborative efforts across societies, communities and individuals. It is equally important that we talk about this issue daily and not just one day.
No one deserves to be violated or abused. We request that in the weeks and months ahead we must join together and take steps forward so that Gender Based Violence will be eliminated once and for all. It is not an individual’s task to do, but we believe together we can put an end to this. DUSA is teaming up with the University of Dundee, Societies and ISE to come forward and show support, you can do your bit too.
Every year, the Dundee Violence Against Women Partnership (DVAWP) works closely together to deliver a number of awareness-raising events as part of this campaign. This year we asked you to takeover/take action and plan events for us that you thought were important.
Please see the range of scheduled events below:
1.) GBV Campaign DUSA – 24 November (Thu)
2.) Launch Events – 25 November (Fri)
3.) We Own The Night DUSA – 26 November (Sat)
4.) Reclaim The Night March – 28 November (Mon)
5.) Deafinks Women’s Health Workshop – 30 November (Wed)
6.) WRASAC Feminist Pub Quiz – 30 November (Wed)
7.) WRASAC Spoken Words Night – 3 December (Sat)
8.) Radical Digital Activism & Care – Zine and Poster Workshop – 3 December (Sat)
9.) Welcoming Women Event: Reducing Barriers For Women Accessing Services in Dundee -5th December (Mon)
10.) Dundee International Women’s Centre (DIWC) – 7th December (Wed)
11.) WRASAC & Body Shop workshop – 8th December (Thurs)
12.) Finale Event in City Square – 9th December (Fri)
References:
Priyanka Joshi is a web content writer and advice & support officer at DUSA.
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