UNiTE to End Violence against Women and Girls

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today.—United Nations (UN)

The UN reports that since the start of the pandemic, almost half of all women said they or a woman they knew had experienced violence.

In this twenty-first century, instead of seeing an end to violence, abuses are becoming more frequent. Most women report that they believe abuse—verbal or physical—by a partner is now more common and that public sexual harassment has increased.

This Friday, Nov 25, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which will launch the UNiTE campaign running from Nov 25 to Dec 10. This campaign aims to promote advocacy and raise awareness and real action to end all forms of violence against women and girls around the world.

Violence against women is defined by UN General Assembly as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

This includes intimate partner violence, sexual violence and harassment, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, and child marriage. And, because of the stigma and shame associated with abuse, many incidents go unreported.

These violations have devastating consequences—psychological, emotional, and physical—which are ongoing and can impact women of all ages.

Educating ourselves about this issue motivates us to raise awareness, and to find opportunities to help in a more tangible way.

Share the Dignity is just one of many organisations providing that kind of on-the-ground practical assistance. This Australian initiative supplies period products to women and girls who may be homeless, victims of domestic violence, or disadvantaged in some other way. In this way, this little bit of dignity, that so many of us may take for granted, is made available to all.

This week (18–27 Nov) Share the Dignity is providing an opportunity to take part in their Christmas appeal, It’s in the Bag, where anyone can donate a bag of essential items, and perhaps a few everyday luxuries. This simple gift can ensure that women, girls, and those who menstruate feel a glimmer of hope this Christmas.

On this 2022 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we can all play a part in supporting the vulnerable and working towards bringing an end to violence against women and girls.

If you have experienced abuse, have felt threatened, unsafe, or need assistance, please click here to see the list of country helplines.

Sources:

Share the Dignity. https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/home

UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day