We all, as human beings, have a responsibility not only to ourselves but to the world – to support each other and do something for the well-being of all of humanity.
We must remember that we are living together in families, societies, and the in the world, and we must respect each other’s rights and dignity. We must also feel others’ pain and not turn away from it.
Beyond our nation, gender, occupation, relations, and responsibility, we all have a commonality – humanity – that brings us together.
We must respect each other’s rights and freedoms, but we must also make ourselves and others accountable for respecting others’ freedoms and rights.
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” UDHR ARTICLE 1i
Of course, this includes women’s and girls’ equal rights globallyii.
The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life."
And the UN has focused attention on women’s and human rights repeatedly, including through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)iii, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rightsiv, The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishmentv, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rightsvi, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rightsvii, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against womenviii, and The Sustainable development goals by 2030 “No one left behind.ix
Women and girls make up half the world's population and have a significant role in developing a healthy society. Every person and society need women's support and contributions. However, their function and participation, power and contribution, voice and experiences are still overlooked, undervalued, and denied.
Despite all the global commitments to end and prevent violence against women, women face social, economic, cultural, and political inequality and injustices. Throughout the world they suffer the most through physical, psychological, material, and spiritual violence.
Women worldwide are suffering domestic violence (economic, psychological, emotional, and physical violence); intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide); sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber-harassment); human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation); female genital mutilation; and child marriage.
Everywhere in the world, women face social, cultural, and economic barriers to equality. The latest evidence-based reports show that 1 in 3 women globally experiences violence (at least one form of physical, sexual, or psychological violence),70 percent of all people living in poverty are women and girls, and Only 22 percent of the world’s political leaders are women.x
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted women disproportionately – from loss of jobs to a rise in violence against women and unpaid care work. Although women are at the front line of the COVID-19 response as healthcare workers, innovators and leaders, their contributions remain less visible and less valued. Only 3.5 percent of COVID-19 task forces across 87 countries had gender parity.xi
Gender-based violence is a horrible reality in societies that, knowingly and unknowingly, has been followed by generations.
It is clear, violence against women doesn’t just effect individuals but has a negative impact on society. Transgenerational trauma, which can be handed down from survivors of gender violence to their children, affects their psyche, health, behavior, and futures. It can be and is handed down between generations for centuries.
If the past is any indication, there is little hope for change without more efforts, support, and commitment to end violence against women worldwide.
16 Days of Activism alerts individuals, institutions, and governments to renew and intensify their commitments to end violence against women.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day. Activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 developed the campaign and it continues to be coordinated annually by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations worldwide to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
Join this global action, say NO to violence against women and girls, and be part of this international activist campaign.
Orange the world! A world free of violence and discrimination for all!
Join and challenge the social norms, post an encouraging message to women who survive violence and show them that they are not alone, listen to women who experienced discrimination, share your story, thank women who support you, wear orange to support survivors of violence against women, speak up for marginalized women, break the silence, write, draw, sing a song, read a poem, publish some inspiring messages, donate to and fund women’s rights organizations, support other initiatives and show your solidarity.
It is the time for change, reform, and freedom.
Ending violence against women will start a peaceful, healthy, and beautiful society and world.
An article by Roshan Mashal on the eve of the 16 Days of Elimination of Violence Against women, 2022
i https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
iii https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2016/12/cedaw-for-
xi https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/csw65