The annual campaign which seeks to raise awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue - and highlight the importance of taking action to prevent it - is underway.
The annual campaign which seeks to raise awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue and highlight the importance of taking action to prevent it is underway.
16 Days of Activism is based around two key days running from 25 November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) until to 10 December, which is Human Rights Day. These dates were specifically chosen to emphasise that VAWG is a violation of human rights.
White Ribbon Day coincides with the start of 16 days of activism, providing men with the opportunity to make a commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
East Lothian and Midlothian’s Public Protection Committee is leading on 16 days of Activism locally working with its partners East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, East and Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnerships, Police Scotland, Women’s Aid East and Midlothian, Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, VCEL and Queen Margaret University.
Two years ago, councillors and officials signed the White Ribbon Pledge to show their own commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
Councillor Colin McGinn, East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, said:
“The sad reality is that violence against women remains all too prevalent globally.
“That’s why we must take every opportunity, both locally and internationally, to voice our support for the 16 Days of Activism Campaign, sending out a very clear message that nobody should live in fear of violence or any other form of abuse.
“While we must all play our part throughout the year in challenging attitudes that accept or try to normalise abusive behaviours, the campaign gives us the opportunity to focus minds on its importance.
“It is also crucial that anyone experiencing violent or abusive behaviours knows that help and support is available.
“I firmly believe that men have a responsibility to challenge behaviours and attitudes that engage in violence against woman and girls. It is possible to affect change, however, that change requires men to be part of the solution.”
Support networks in the area includes:
- Women’s Aid East and Midlothian – domestic abuse support for women and children and young people
- Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre – Advocacy Service
- FearFree Domestic Abuse Service for any man or LGBTQI+ person experiencing domestic abuse
Police Scotland are holding a number of pop-up roadshows in supermarkets, community spaces, further education spaces and libraries in East Lothian and Midlothian, to raise awareness of their role in responding to and protecting members of the public from gender-based violence.
East Lothian and Midlothian Public Protection Committee has recently launched a new website which has information for the public about Violence Against Women and Girls Violence Against Women and Girls | emppc.co.uk. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or harm, there is a directory of support available on a local and national basis Supports and Services for People Experiencing Gender Based Violence.
Other resources:
- Anam Cara support to empower women through developing life changing resilience skills
- National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline – for anyone
- National Respect Phoneline Choose to stop – help for domestic violence perpetrators
About 16 days of activism
On 25 November 1960, three sisters from the Dominican Republic were beaten to death and dumped at the bottom of a cliff by the then President’s secret police. The Mirabel sisters who had been activists, actively opposed the cruelty and systematic violence of the Trujillo dictatorship, became symbols of the feminist resistance. In commemoration of their deaths, 25 November was declared International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Latin America in 1980. Between then and formal recognition of 16 days by the United Nations in 1999, there were significant UN commitments and declarations to eliminate VAWG and all forms of discrimination against women.
Scotland’s Equally Safe Strategy commitment to gender equality stems from the global adopted by all UN member states in 2015. White Ribbon developed from the killing of 14 women by a 25 year male in Montreal in 1989, because of his hatred towards women. In 1991 Canadian men began wearing a white ribbon as a symbol of men’s opposition to men’s VAWG. The movement grew from there with the UK taking on the campaign in 2004.