Sixteen days of Activism against Gender Violence start on 25 November. Why should you care?

This campaign was designated by the United Nations General Assembly, an act that indicates that gender violence is a problem throughout the world. This period of 16 days includes 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and 10 December as the International Human Rights Day.

These dates were chosen after the brutal 1961 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo. But this happened a long time ago in a place far away. So, why should you care? Just look at two of the Nobel Peace Prize contestants this year:

    • Malala Yousafsai, a Pakistani school girl from the town of Mingora in the Swat District of Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. She (11 years old at the time) wrote a blog under a pseudonym for the BBC detailing her life under Taliban rule and, among other things, her views on promoting education for girls because the Taliban at times banned girls from attending school. She rose in prominence and Desmond Tutu nominated her for the International Children’s Peace Prize. The Taliban did not look kindly on all the publicity she received and tried to assassinate her while returning home on a school bus. She was critically injured but survived the shooting and now lives in Birmingham, England.
    • Claudia Paz y Paz, the attorney general of Guatemala. Throughout her tenure as attorney general, she has worked diligently to bring justice to notorious organised crime bosses, human rights abusers and perpetrators of widespread gender-based violence.

Two people, one a mere schoolgirl, made and are still making a difference in this world. So can you; they care and so should you. Become involved in your own community. Check the press for details on the campaign in your area and volunteer your time, knowledge and skills.

Unfortunately, in South Africa, gender violence and violence against children are all too prevalent. Virtually every day the media reports on transgressions against women and children. This is why our government and our communities would like you to become involved in this campaign.

Do you know someone who doesn’t know about the 16 Days of Activism? Take the first step – make them aware! Violence against women happens every minute, every day. Send a wake-up call to your friends, family and networks and start the conversation.

South Africa needs you!

 

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://saynotoviolence.org
http://www.forbes.com
http://www.unwomen.org