International Women’s Day: End Violence Against Women
“Remember the dignity of your womanhood. Do not appeal, do not beg, do not grovel. Take courage, join hands, stand beside us, fight with us.” Christabel Pankhurst
International Women’s Day: End Violence Against Women via IWD.com
UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet – discrimination and violence against women and girls have no place in the 21st century.
16 Steps to end violence against Women – UNO
Invest-in gender equality and women’s empowerment
Enhance women’s economic empowerment
Increase public awareness and social mobilization
Engage the mass media
Work for and with young people as champions of change
Mobilize men and boys (1-6) Contd Below
Today is International Women’s Day, 8 March 2013, and the United Nations theme for this year is: “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.” The goal of this year’s theme is to encourage communities globally to stand firm and put an end to violence against women. Even with all the progress women enjoy, acts of violence against women remain a stumbling block in our fight for equality. According to the UN, 603 million women live in nations that have not criminalized domestic violence. About 70% of women, globally, have experienced physical or sexual violence.
“My campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women, is playing its part in spreading the message: violence against women and girls is a gross human rights violation that must be punished.” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
International Women’s Day: End Violence Against Women via IWD.com
Toms Stories : Dr Salma
International Women’s Day 2013 Google Doodle [HQ]
16 Steps to end violence against Women – UNO
Donate to the UN Trust Fund to end violence against women.
Provide adequate public resources
Train providers of frontline services
Ensure universal access to critical services
End impunity towards conflict related sexual violence(7-11) Contd Below
This year’s focus on ending all forms of violent acts against women is an important theme because it encourages all of us to pay attention to the women around us and take collective action to end it. To help spur us on to action, the UN has offered 16 actionable steps to end violence against women. If we are able to act on a few steps at a time, it would make a huge difference in the lives of abused women. I divided the steps into 3 segments and put them in block quotes above and below. Please read them and choose which ones you’d like to share with your friends, family and community. More below!
“A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” Melinda Gates
International Women’s Day: End Violence Against Women via IWD.com
One Woman: A Song for UN Women
16 Steps to end violence against Women – UNO
Make justice accessible to women and girls
Develop national and local action plans
Adopt and enforce laws
Ratify international and regional treaties
Collect, analyze and disseminate national data(12-16)
When we talk about acts of violence against women, it includes child prostitution, female genital mutilation, rape, modern-day slavery, honor killings, war crimes, and other acts. UN figures (click on the pdf for more data) show that 50% of sexual assaults are on underage girls (16 and under), and that worldwide, 60 million girls leave home to become child brides, often to much older men. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979, is often cited as an international bill of rights for women, but it remains under consideration as some member nations continue to challenge its content, and demand changes. It is my dream that one day, we will all live equitably and harmoniously on planet Earth.
♥What are your thoughts? Did you celebrate International Women’s Day? Do share! ♥Happy ♥International ♥Women’s Day ♥To ♥You! Thank you.
*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience!
Positive Motivation Tip: Women can empower others by showing support and speaking out against bullies and abusers. Take a stand. Reach for the stars…
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos & Posters via IWD.com or via Wikipedia Or Flickr
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
Related articles
- On International Women’s Day, Change Is Possible (blogher.com)
- 5 Reasons International Women’s Day Still Needed (lisarainwater.wordpress.com)
- International Women’s Day: We’ve Come A Long Way… (mirthandmotivation.com)
- International Women’s Day 2013: ‘stop violence against us’ (theweek.co.uk)
- International Women’s Day: End Violence Against Women (eleanorvincent.wordpress.com)
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Thanks so much for this timely blog. I hope you had a great Women’s Day! I shared the Melinda Gates quote – it is so true. For some women it is really hard to find their voice, and to be heard. UN Women is supporting some really good projects in Jamaica (I have blogged about the 51% Coalition, which I have done some work with). Thanks for this!
TY Petchary and apologies for my absence… I will catch up soon.
we’ve come a long way Happy Day to you Eliz.
TY Seeker and we have come a long way with more to come. 🙂
Reblogged this on Oakland Cityscapes and commented:
Great post from Mirth and Motivation, a favorite blog.
TY Eleanor and pardon my absence… I appreciate the reblog. Will return soon. 🙂
Great post and reminder. 🙂
TY Tracy! Sadly violence against women continues…
Thank you for raising awareness of International Women’s Day. I love that you point out that the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was adopted by the UN in 1979…but we still see violence, abuse and discrimination against millions and millions of women all over the world. I want to run out and fix this…but I know that I cannot. What can we each do to make this horrific situation change?
Speak up. Report what you see. Support other women. We can do even a little bit. TY Vivian!
Excellent article and a very worthy cause, thanks Eliz. I hope you don’t mind but I shared this on my FB page.
TY for sharing it. I don’t mind at all and thanks again!
thank you. 🙂
TY! 🙂
Happy day. 🙂
Have a great day! 🙂
greetings on Women’s Day.
I enjoyed your Women’s day post. TY!
All of the topics considered within the International Women’s Day platform are so critical. i’m often shocked beyond measure at what I hear about the way women suffer around the world. I am glad you reminded me of the day itself. I wasn’t at work today, and had little contact with anyone to remind me. It’s an important focus every day, not just once a year, but it’s wonderful to have the intentional focus, too.
TY and I agree with you that we need to address this daily. I’m glad you were able to read it. It’s sad that this continues globally.
Great article. For International Women’s Day this year I had the opportunity to dine with a woman from Afghanistan and to hear her story about life under the Taliban. She is an inspiration to me (and other women). As I listened to her, I was reminded of my many blessings.
Yes, we are quite fortunate where we are… Interview your lunch partner…
Thank you for an important post! I talked about the day with my students. They think it is important too, to be reminded. I have students from many countries in my classes, and some have fled their native countries not long ago. They have stories to tell…
TY and we all have amazing stories to share… I agree. 😉
Thank you, Elizabeth. I only remember International Day towards the end of the day. This is a very nice post. happy women’s day!
TY for checking in… appreciated! 🙂
Hope you had a great IWD Elizabeth! I also did a small entry, just a quick poem, but nothing compared to your brilliant post.
TY Gilly! Will be by to read it soon. 🙂
very inspiring 🙂
TY Amira!
We all have to do our part daily. It’s hard to believe we are still fighting many of the same fights of 30+ years ago, but we are. Putting a stop to ignorance within our own country will help but it’s taking forever. Thanks for fighting the fight with us all!
b
I concur… and women must continue to support the effort or watch us all go back 100 years. TY!
Thanks for spreading the word about the UN’s convention on violence against women – and for encouraging us all to take part in the global efforts to stop the violence! And thanks for pinging my article! Happy International Women’s Day!
TY too for your comment and post. I enjoyed this effort and I can say that I felt greater energy for it this year. Blessings!
Eliz
Excellent post… 🙂
It’s completely stupid that we people in 2013 have to discuss whether men and women should be equal and be treated like that – we are not alike in all cases – fortunately – we men have our strengths and weaknesses and women have their strengths and weaknesses – together (it’s called synergy effect) we are amazing … 🙂
Female suppression may be rooted in fear in us men
– fear that we aren’t as powerful as we believes… 🙂
Can’t help but compare with nature – male lion is called the king of beasts but if you observe properly – it’s actually the lioness that manages and controls herd’s life… 🙂
Well said Ledrake! I wish more folk would feel your passion on this subject but sadly many on both sides give it little attention. TY! 🙂
Inspiring post, Elizabeth. It’s heartbreaking to know so many women are still suffering…
Yes indeed it is… and we are not immune from it even those of us who feel strong. TY!
Wonderful post, Elizabeth. I hope you had a great time celebrating. But we’re not even halfway there yet, are we?
A good friend from Toronto emailed me the other day. In celebration of International Women’s Day, she sent out a mass email to all her women friends (it’s long!) with an attached plaque that says:
“You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands. For instance, if they’re placed around your throat, she’s probably slightly upset.”
Ty dear one. We didn’t celebrate per se. Like you, we feel we are not there yet so what’s to celebrate but the small steps we have taken? TY! Interesting plaque.
Beautiful attribute Eliz to women worldwide. The more I learn, the more I am compelled to fight.
Same here Nicole and you do plenty. TY my friend. 😉
No pressure, but I nominated you for the HUG award. Details are here: http://jrosenberry1.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/hope-unites-globally/
Thankfully it isn’t as complicated as other awards. 🙂
Great post .. and sad post.
TY so much and I finally got round to visit your blog and thank you properly… I had no idea as I’ve been consumed by other demands… Blessings! 🙂
The post is a brilliant tribute to all women. Well done, Eliz!
TY Dianne and I pray we continue to grow in strength and grace… each of us, all of us.
I hope and pray that your dream comes true Eliz.
Women’s Day this year has been particularly important here in India because of the uproar created by the December rape. Can you believe ‘consent’ is still being debated in this day and age, and the committee last week deemed that marriage presumes consent??? We have a long way to go.
Hi Madhu,
TY and I was thinking about the events in India and other places too. All of it saddens me… we have a long way to go!
A memory was sparked by that first quote – there was a law passed in Britain during the fight for women’s suffrage; it became known as the Cat and Mouse Act.
Women prisoners went on hunger strike. Letting them die was bad publicity for the government and force feeding caused outrage once it became known.
Under the new act, which had a proper name I can’t recall, the women were allowed to hunger strike and as soon as they became ill, they were released. Once they recovered, they were re-arrested to finish their sentence. If they went on hunger strike again, the same thing happened.
That does ring a faint bell with me. I love these “Ghandiesk” strategies. You have to admire their courage and strength of purpose, and I do. Always
Right o Peter! I do admire their persistence and it opened doors for us. TY!
Yes, I remember that from school days. Such terrible decisions and confusions. TY Tilly!
I do, and always have found violence against women or anyone else thoroughly repellant
Same here… It is a terrible act of intimidation and violation.
It’s my honor to gift you with a “Very Inspiring Blog Award”! 🙂
http://therealsharon.com/2013/03/16/very-inspiring-blog-award/
TY so much Sharon! It’s been a while and I’m glad to hear from you. I’m pleased that you have picked up your blogging again too.
Great cause, great post, as usual, Elizabeth.
TY Marcia. It remains an important global subject and sadly one that continues to impact the lives of many women today.