16 Days of Activism against
Gender-Based Violence
I am a privileged woman. I have never been a victim of
violence or abuse. I have lived a sheltered life and I am grateful for the
protection I have received. Not all women are as fortunate as I am. A third of
all women will have experienced some
kind of violence during their lifetime. Many are suffering from violence now. Domestic
violence, rape, sexual harassment, workplace harassment, digital harassment,
hate speech, psychological abuse, stalking, mobbing, child marriage, female
genital mutilation, honour killings (what an oxymoron!) and femicides. This is
a long list but I am sure I missed something that should be mentioned. We can’t
just close our eyes and pretend this doesn’t exist. I can’t ignore this, even
though I have no direct experience. As long as women are being subjected to
gender-based violence we have to take action.
November 25 is the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women.
This day kicks off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which
is an annual international campaign that runs until 10 December, Human Rights
Day. Men and women all around the world initiate actions during this time to
raise awareness about the risks women are facing. What can we do to end
violence?
I remember when the „Orange the World“ initiative was
introduced by UNWOMEN. I was active in a women’s group organizing a congress
for Christian women. I explained the concept of wearing something in orange on
November 25 and on each 25th of a month to show support of the initiative to
end violence against women. I showed the women an orange scarf and suggested we
should give one to all the participants of the congress. Imagine my horror when
some of the women said, „Orange is not my colour. I don’t look good in orange.“
For me it doesn’t matter if I look good as long as I can do something to raise
the awareness that we have to end violence now. When women are being battered
and raped, should I think about what I look like when I take action?
Fortunately, this attitude did not last long, and we did get orange scarves for
the congress participants, who were glad to wear orange.
As the Orange the World initiative has become a world
wide movement, with people posting photos of their actions in orange on the
internet, awareness is increasing that violence is not ok. More and more people
are speaking up, including heads of governments and states announcing new
initiatives and supporting existing ones. For instance, Chancellor Angela
Merkel pointed out on November 23, 2020, a national telephone hotline for
victims of violence 08000 116 016 and an online initiative https://staerker-als-gewalt.de/ as well as more funds for
counseling agencies and women’s shelters.
Under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General,
António Guterres, the United Nations call for support of the UNITE Campaign to
end violence against women by 2030 by increasing awareness and joining forces
to share knowledge and innovations.
The enditnow initiative was started by the Seventh-Day
Adventist Women’s Ministries and relief organization ADRA in 2009 and is now
supported by all departments oft he church. We must address the reality that
violence exists and that it has to end. Let’s orange our world so that women
can live without the fear of violence and abuse!
Photo: Dagmar Dorn
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