International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women & White Ribbon Day – coming up 25th November!

The 25th November is the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which marks the beginning of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence under the banner of UNITE to End Violence against Women, an annual campaign managed by UN Women. According to UN Women:

“Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, an estimated 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.

This scourge has intensified in different settings, including the workplace and online spaces, exacerbated by post-pandemic effects, conflicts, and climate change.”

Workplaces, businesses and other organisations that want to raise awareness and support the cause of ending family violence in New Zealand can use this campaign as a ‘hook’ to make the connection between this issue in Aotearoa and internationally, and can take advantage of resources on the UN website like this series of short videos.

The 25th November is also White Ribbon Day - an international day of awareness and action against men’s violence towards women. White Ribbon New Zealand has recently come under the umbrella of Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga (National Network of Family Violence Services), of which Shine/PSN is a member agency. Look out for a refresh of this campaign in the coming year.

In addition to these international awareness events, your organisation can participate in Shine’s awareness and fundraising campaign Light It Orange anytime of the year, and Shine can support your efforts with resources and ideas. If you’re interested, contact Shine’s fundraiser Neralee Heard at NeraleeH@2shine.org.nz, who you can read about in the next story.