London - At a conference on violence against women and girls in emergencies, a CARE International UK special report it has been revealed the tiny proportion of international aid that is directed towards projects that target gender violence and sexual exploitation of women in humanitarian crises. The report also shows the inadequacies of global efforts to track how effectively humanitarian projects address gender. (pdf Document - CLICK IMAGE) In 2010, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon set a … [Read more...]
NEW City of Joy Website Launches!
V-Day is proud to announce the launch of the new City of Joy website! "The opening of the City of Joy is the moment where women of the Congo turn their pain to power. Where they who have suffered so deeply, so invisibly will claim their rights, their bodies and their future. It will be a huge privilege and honor to be present at this momentous occasion," stated Eve Ensler, playwright and V-Day Founder. A revolutionary new community for women survivors of gender violence in Bukavu, … [Read more...]
Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Take Action!
Domestic Violence Awareness Month will continue this year as part of the Domestic Violence Awareness Project. The observed month has been running since 1995 when several organizations including the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence united to tackle the problem. Why is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so important? AM I BEING AB-- USED? Does your partner: embarrasses the other person with put-downs looks or acts in ways that … [Read more...]
UN peacekeeping, Women on the front lines to End Violence Against Women
March 2013 – “I know what it means to lose your house, to be looted. To look a child in the eye and say, 'If they come for me, you need to run'," said the newly appointed United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. "I know what it means to give testimony and to investigate the documents.” These words came from Zainab Hawa Bangura, former health minister of Sierra Leone and a survivor of that country’s civil war, who has just completed six months in office and is … [Read more...]
Safe Cities program implemented in New Delhi, India
Better lighting, wider pavements: steps towards preventing sexual violence in New Delhi A young woman from Bilaspur camp, in the Molarband area of south Delhi, says she never goes to the community toilets alone. “Near the community toilet complex we have a banyan tree where boys are always standing. They harass every girl who goes to the toilet. I never go to the toilet alone, especially when it is dark,” she said, echoing the 24 other women who took part in a focus group discussion last … [Read more...]
RAPE: Mali Sexual Assault Survivors – No Support, No Justice
Little support, no justice for Mali rape survivors GAO/BAMAKO, May 2013 (IRIN) - During the rebel takeover of northern Mali in April 2012, many women said they were subjected to rape or sexual assault. Since then, little or no support has come through for these women, say aid workers. Aminata Touré* was on her way to her uncle’s house in the city of Gao in June 2012 when she was stopped by two men on a motorbike. “I had no choice. They were armed and threatened to kill me,” she … [Read more...]
RAPE, long-term damage long after ‘Guns Fall Silent’
SECRETARY-GENERAL, AT SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE ON CONFLICT-RELATED SEXUAL VIOLENCE, SAYS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF WARTIME RAPE PERSIST LONG AFTER GUNS FALL SILENT … [Read more...]
One-Stop Crisis Centre responding to Violence Against Women, Thailand
April 2013 – The launch of Thailand’s pioneering One-Stop Crisis Centre by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on 9 April reinforces the continuing efforts to respond to and prevent violence against women and girls after Thailand joined UN Women’s newest global initiative, COMMIT. UN Women Regional Director Roberta Clarke (wearing black) congratulates Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the launch of the 1,300 mobile units. Photo credit: UN Women/Montira Narkvichien The One Stop … [Read more...]