Abuse: Survival Stories is an event series created in support of survivors of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. We aim to empower survivors by creating a platform for them to speak on their experiences instead of suffering in silence. This event series has been created not in the name of the war against abuse, but in the name of peace and healing for all. 4th Abuse: Survival Stories Event Abuse: Survival Stories - Haiku: forgiveness & rebuilding trust This co-ed event is … [Read more...]
South Africa, ‘pandemic of sexual violence’ calls for Action
February 12, 2013 by
Atrocious rape and murder shows need for comprehensive approach to sexual violence in South Africa: Human Rights chief The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Friday expressed her shock and deep sadness at the atrocious rape, mutilation and murder of Anene Booysen, a 17-year-old South African Woman. And Navi Pillay has called for a more comprehensive approach to tackling the "pandemic of sexual violence" affecting tens of thousands of women every year in South Africa. She said … [Read more...]
Kyrgyzstan toughens penalties for bride kidnapping, Taking Action
February 8, 2013 by
Kyrgyzstan (/kɜrɡɪˈstɑːn/ kur-gi-stahn; Kyrgyz: Кыргызстан (IPA: [qɯrʁɯsˈstɑn]); Russian: Киргизия), officially the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyz: Кыргыз Республикасы; Russian: Киргизская Республика), is a country located in Central Asia. Landlocked and mountainous, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east. Its capital and largest city is Bishkek. “Women should be beaten every day,” says Kamilla,* repeating the … [Read more...]
The Blue Heart Campaign, New Initiatives around the World
January 15, 2013 by
Vienna, January 2013 - The Blue Heart Campaign has gained additional support with new initiatives around the world. Switzerland became the latest country to join the Campaign, and in Colombia and the Republic of Serbia, cinema and theatre have been used to generate awareness and serve as a stark warning to potential victims about false promises of a better life. On the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, 18 October 2012, Switzerland became the latest country to join the Blue … [Read more...]
IRAN signs up to new covenant to protect women/children
December 22, 2012 by
SECURITY: Armed groups sign up to prevent sexual violence JOHANNESBURG, December 2012 (IRIN) - Five Iranian armed groups have become the first to sign up to new covenant aimed at reducing sexual violence in conflict situations, a pledge developed by Geneva-based NGO Geneva Call. The five Iranian groups - the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, the Komala Party of Kurdistan, the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, the Komalah Kurdistan Organization of the Communist Party of Iran and the … [Read more...]
Justice for victims of war-time sexual violence
December 11, 2012 by
December 2012 – A United Nations senior official and an independent human rights expert today joined their voices in calling for States to ensure the right to truth and justice for victims of war-time sexual violence, as well as accountability for perpetrators. “Truth, justice and accountability are key in upholding the human rights of women and their right to a life free from violence, particularly in countries in post-conflict situations,” the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, … [Read more...]
‘A Survivor’s Story’ in western world, human trafficking and exploitation
December 11, 2012 by
A Survivor’s Story " Hi my name is Dai,* I’m a survivor of human trafficking and exploitation. I have experienced the harm that these forms of violence inflict on those of us who have been sexually exploited. Let me tell you a little history about my life. I have been an American for nearly 21 years. Abused as a child, I made a promise to myself that I would never be abused again. As I continue with my speech, I’m here to share my story specifically regarding my traumatic experience in … [Read more...]
DRC: Surge in sexual violence in North Kivu* – Take Action!
December 7, 2012 by
MINOVA, 7 December 2012 (IRIN) - Sexual violence is on the rise as armed groups continue to move across the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) North Kivu Province, officials say. Since mid-November, the provincial capital, Goma, has been a site of battle, with rebel group M23 taking control of the city on 20 November. Following negotiations with neighbouring countries, M23 relinquished control of the city on 1 December, and the Congolese national army, FARDC, is back in charge. … [Read more...]
‘A Promise is A Promise’ – UN Video Presentation
November 29, 2012 by
'A Promise is A Promise' is the official video of the United Nations Secretary-General's Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women (November 2012). Launched in 2008, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, coordinated by UN Women on behalf of the UN System, is a multi-year effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls in all parts of the world. UNiTEcalls on governments, civil society, women's … [Read more...]
SOUTH AFRICA, confronts sexual violence and discrimination
November 28, 2012 by
In South Africa — a country often referred to as the murder and rape capital of the world—one group of women are especially at risk. Lesbians are increasingly the targets of a particularly heinous crime: "curative" or "corrective" rape, which perpetrators believe will change their sexual orientation. We travel to South Africa to meet several survivors, who are speaking out to confront sexual violence and discrimination. Corrective rape is a hate crime in which a person is raped because of … [Read more...]
Kenya,1 Million Dads against Gender-based Violence
August 5, 2012 by
Celebrating Campaign to mobilize one million dads against gender-based violence kicks off in Kenya On a bright Sunday afternoon in July, over a thousand people gathered in Nairobi’s Arboretum Park to launch a campaign that will see one million men join the fight against gender-based violence in Kenya. Part of the UN Secretary-General’s Africa UNiTE Campaign, the 1 Million Fathers initiative will be engaging men in their roles as fathers, brothers, husbands and friends. The launch on 15 … [Read more...]
