[women-rights] 16 Years of 16 Days: U.S. Groups Combat Gender Violence Worldwide

by Amanda Atwood OneWorld US - www.oneworld.net/us 

"Worldwide, at least one of every three women will experience some kind of
violence--she may be beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her
lifetime," explains Amnesty International.

Despite increasing information, discussion, and program development to
stop gender violence, and although the UN issued its Declaration on the
Elimination of Violence Against Women in 1993, violence against women
remains all too common--and all too ignored.

This violence occurs most often from an acquaintance, family member, or
partner/spouse, but it may also be inflicted by strangers, government
security forces, or armed rebels.

Since 1990, organizations around the world have marked 16 Days of Activism
Against Gender Violence between November 25 and December 10. The period
begins with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against
Women and concludes on International Human Rights Day. This year, as
always, many U.S.-based non-profit organiztions are actively
participating, and their activities provide a range of opportunities to
become more informed and get involved.

For an overview on the prevalence and implications of gender violence
worldwide, have a look at a fact sheet provided by the Women's Edge
Coalition. For more on the situation in the United States, check the
Feminist Majority Foundation's Violence Information Center
http://www.feminist.org/other/dv/dvfact.html.

Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) also provides an index of
relevant learning materials, news stories, and useful links on their
Violence Against Women feature page:
http://www.hrea.org/feature-events/vaw-day.php

Other organizations making news around gender violence this week include:

* Refugees International anticipating the high-level UN conference on
December 4 aimed at eliminating sexual exploitation and abuse by
international agency staff.  

* The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) is
highlighting the work of Womankind Kenya in changing gender roles,
combating female genital cutting, and ending violence in Kenya's Somali
Community.

* The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is marking the campaign by
distributing information packets and airing radio and television public
service announcements in Latin America aimed at advancing human rights and
ending violence against women.

If you're concerned about gender violence, or you’re motivated to
get more involved, here are two campaigns you can participate in:

* Visit Amnesty International's 16 Days of Activism page to find out about
a different action you can take each day to call attention to violence
against women.

* Find out more about a joint campaign to increase U.S. leadership in
ending gender-based violence globally. The effort is sponsored by the
Women's Edge Coalition, Amnesty International, and the Family Violence
Prevention Fund.

See the full with pictures at:
http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/143309/1/