16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

About White Ribbon Day, November 25
About 16 Days of Activism

AusAID's 16 Days of Activism blog

Follow AusAID’s blog during the 16 Days of Activism, from 25 November to 10 December 2009, to find out how Australia is supporting an end to violence against women.

 

 

DAY 16: Supporting women's right to a life free from violence

Thursday 10 December is Human Rights Day, with the focus for 2009 on ending discrimination. This recognises that discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status limits people’s ability to realise their human rights.

To mark the day, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has announced the recipients of Australia’s Human Rights Small Grants Scheme. These grants support organisations in developing countries to promote and protect human rights.

Grants have been provided to organisations that are working to directly combat violence against women in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Timor-Leste, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestinian National Authority, Sri Lanka and Tuvalu. This recognises that violence against women is a human rights violation which pervades both private and public life in most societies in the world. It severely limits women’s ability to fully and freely participate in social, economic and political life.

The work that will be done through these grants includes:

• providing counselling and legal services to victims of domestic violence in Sri Lanka
• working with teachers, police and the community in Afghanistan to promote the rights of girls to enjoy an education free from violence
• supporting widows and orphans in Cameroon through creating awareness of their right to protection from violence and forced marriage
• establishing a women’s crisis centre in Tuvalu to support women who have been subjected to domestic violence.

Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. More information on Human Rights Day [external website].

Media release

International Human Rights Day

Projects

Projects funded through Human Rights Small Grants in 2009-10 [PDF 39kb]
Projects funded through Human Rights Small Grants in 2009-10 [Word 84kb]

 

 

DAY 15: Developing domestic violence laws in China

Today (9 December) is the first day of a three-day seminar on anti-domestic violence legislation being held in Nanjing, China.

The seminar will contribute to developing a national domestic violence law that is consistent with a human rights framework. Currently domestic violence is addressed through the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women.

Surveys by the All-China Women's Federation show that domestic violence occurs in 30 per cent of China's 270 million households, and that 90 per cent of victims are women.

The seminar is funded under AusAID’s Human Rights Technical Cooperation program in China and is implemented in a partnership between the Australian Human Rights Commission and the All China Women’s Federation.

Participants in the seminar will include members of the All China Women’s Federation; Australian Human Rights Commission; National People’s Congress; the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council; the National Coordinating Committee to Safeguard Women and Children’s Rights and Interests; and provincial People’s Congresses, courts, women’s federations, and procuratorate departments.

The seminar will include an exchange of experiences on anti-domestic violence legislation and legal policies in China, Australia and from around the world. Participants will explore theories and guiding principles of domestic violence legislation and discuss the draft Law on Prevention and Determent of Domestic Violence submitted by the Legal Department of the All China Women’s Federation.

This seminar builds upon the long-term work on domestic violence under the Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program which has supported the response to gender based violence throughout China by the All China Women’s Federation.  

Outcomes of this work include the introduction of local regulations in 25 provinces and autonomous regions, the establishment of domestic violence emergency hotlines, and the establishment of specialised domestic violence and legal aid services for women.

Websites

All China Women’s Federation
Australian Human Rights Commission

 

 

DAY 14: Stop Violence: Responding to Violence Against Women in Melanesia and Timor-Leste

The Australian Government has zero tolerance for violence against women and is committed to reducing violence against women in Australia, as well as contributing to international efforts to end violence against women globally and in our region.

In August 2009, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for the Status of Women launched the Stop Violence: Responding to Violence Against Women in Melanesia and East Timor report.

The Stop Violence report sets out the Australian Government’s priorities and actions to combat violence against women in the region, working in partnership with national governments, civil society, NGOs and international agencies.

The report includes a framework for action that is based on three main strategies that have proven successful in reducing violence against women within the region and internationally:

1. Improving women’s access to justice
2. Increasing women’s access to support services
3. Preventing violence against women.

Australia will use the framework for action to intensify our efforts to address violence against women as part of the Australian international development assistance program.

The Stop Violence report was prepared in response to an evaluation by AusAID’s Office of Development Effectiveness (ODE), Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor: Building on Global and Regional Promising Approaches. The ODE report provides a comprehensive picture of promising practices being used in Melanesia and Timor-Leste to prevent and respond to violence against women.

More information

Reports

• Stop Violence: Responding to Violence Against Women in Melanesia and East Timor
• Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor: Building on Global and Regional Promising Approaches (ODE report)
• Violence against Women in Melanesia and East Timor: A review of international lessons (ODE report)

Media release

• Launch of Stop Violence report

Video

• Maria Dimopoulous, member of the Australian Government’s National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children

Audio

• The Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek, speaking on ABC Radio's Pacific Beat

 

 

DAY 13: Eliminating violence against women in Papua New Guinea

In the district of Namatanai in Papua New Guinea, the Local Level Government is working to reduce violence against women.

In August 2009, the Local Level Government held training which brought together representatives of the police, village courts, local leaders and women that were elected members of the Local Level Government (ward members). The participants discussed ways in which they could support law and order programs and services in their area to eliminate violence against women. Topics included village courts, police, rural lock up, and services for victims of family violence. 

Following the training leaders resolved to establish a district law and order committee, and to raise their commitments to law and order.

Through the Papua New Guinea – Australia Law and Justice Partnership, Australia is working in partnership with the Papua New Guinea Government in responding to violence against women.

 

 

 

DAY 12: Australia partners with the United Nations Population Fund to end violence against women

On 4 December 2009, the Minister for Foreign Affairs signed a Partnership Framework with the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Thoraya Obaid.

The agreement will strengthen collaboration between AusAID and UNFPA in supporting developing countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of improving women’s and children’s health; addressing infectious diseases; and empowering women and promoting gender equality.

In the agreement, UNFPA and AusAID have committed to work in partnership to support women’s right to lives that are free of violence. 

The agreement also recognises the need for emergency response operations to provide sexual and reproductive health services to victims of sexual violence.

This commitment builds on the significant joint work of UNFPA and AusAID to address violence against women. For example, UNFPA and AusAID have jointly funded major surveys of the prevalence of violence against women in Solomon Islands and Kiribati. These studies were coordinated by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in collaboration with the Governments of Solomon Islands and Kiribati. They provide a strong evidence base for improving responses to violence against women.

Through the Partnership Agreement, AusAID will provide $42.5 million over four years to support the work of UNFPA, with $1 million of this allocated each year to support UNFPA’s Pacific multi-country program.

 

 

DAY 11: Supporting women's peacebuilding in Timor-Leste

In March 2009, the Alola Foundation hosted the second 'Women for Peace' conference in Dili, Timor-Leste. The conference brought together women from around the world with Timorese women to discuss their experiences of transforming conflict into peace. 

The conference strengthened awareness of the role that local women have played in resolving armed conflicts and acting as peacemakers. It focused on women and youth as positive forces for change. 

It also highlighted the need to address violence against women in order to support the critical role of women as creative agents in peace processes.

AusAID supported a 14-week travelling roadshow exhibition of art and theatre developed at the Women for Peace conference. The Alola Foundation took the roadshow to every district of Timor-Leste. This enabled communities across Timor-Leste, and particularly women living in rural areas, to engage on these issues.

Women for Peace conference Papers, Recommendations and Resolution on Gender Justice [external website] 

 

 

DAY 10: Stronger legal protections against violence for women in Vanuatu

The Family Protection Act, which came into effect in March 2009, represents an important legislative reform for addressing violence against women in Vanuatu.

The Act creates a domestic violence offence and obliges the police to intervene if violence is suspected. 

Enforceable Family Protection Orders can be made by courts to constrain the behaviour of perpetrators of violence for up to two years. Protection orders can be made on the basis that acts of domestic violence have been, or are likely to be, committed. 

Vanuatu’s Department of Women’s Affairs is playing a key role in implementing the legislation. A key objective of this work is to provide a safe environment for women and increase women’s access to justice.

Australia is committed to supporting Vanuatu’s law and justice sector, and is providing long-term financial assistance in this area. As part of this support, AusAID is working closely with the Department of Women’s Affairs to assist in implementing the Family Protection Act.

 

 

DAY 9: Ending sexual violence in armed conflict

There is increasing international recognition that women and girls are targeted by the use of sexual violence during armed conflict. In some cases violence against women is a war tactic used to humiliate and dominate a community.

Violence against women escalates during conflict and can continue at higher rates in post-conflict situations. It can also be a barrier to women’s participation in peace processes.

Australia strongly supports the efforts of the international community to end sexual violence in armed conflict and to support women’s role in peace building.

On 30 September 2009, Australia was amongst countries that sponsored a new United Nations Security Council Resolution (Resolution 1888) that strengthens international commitment and calls for further action to end sexual violence as a tool of war.

At a practical level, Australia is supporting the collection and documenting of good practice by military personnel to prevent, deter, and respond to conflict-related sexual violence. This work is being done by the United Nations Action Against Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict (UN Action), together with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). It will contribute to improving international efforts to end violence against women in conflict situations.

More information

Websites

• UN Security Council Resolution 1888
• Statement by H.E. Gary Quinlan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Security Council on Women, Peace and Security
• Get Cross! campaign

Video

• US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, speaks about women, peace and security

 

 

DAY 8: Asia Pacific Breakthrough supports an end to violence against women

International leaders, women’s organisations, faith groups and development organisations are coming together today in Melbourne to call for the elimination of poverty by empowering women and girls globally.

The summit will include a discussion of strategies to end violence against women, led by the International Women’s Development Agency and UNIFEM Australia.

The Asia Pacific Breakthrough: The Women, Faith and Development Summit to End Global Poverty is being held in Melbourne on 2-3 December 2009.

'The Asia Pacific Breakthrough Summit seeks to develop new synergies and commitments from the women, faith and development communities, as well as the business, philanthropy and government sector in the common call to eliminate poverty,' said Jane Sloane, Director of the Breakthrough Summit’s Founding Partner, the International Women’s Development Agency.

The Australian Government will make commitments at the summit to increasing girls' access to education; improving maternal and child health; and helping to end violence against women.

The Breakthrough Summit has been initiated by the International Women’s Development Agency, in collaboration with key faith, women’s and development organisations. AusAID is a Principal Partner for the Summit.

More information about the Breakthrough Summit

 

 

DAY 7: Addressing violence against women as part of the response to HIV/AIDS

Tuesday 1 December is World AIDS Day.  The theme this year, ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’, emphasises that all people have a right to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

On 7 April 2009, Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP launched Australia’s international development strategy for HIV and AIDS, Intensifying the Response: Halting the Spread of HIV.  

The strategy sets priorities that will guide Australia’s international development assistance in tackling the growing HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Asia–Pacific region.

One of the strategy’s priorities is to improve the way that violence against women is considered and addressed through AusAID’s programming on HIV and AIDS.

To respond effectively to HIV and AIDS it is important to address the gender issues that are involved in HIV transmission and impact. Programs also need to consider women’s vulnerability to gender-based violence as part of the response to HIV and AIDS.

AusAID’s support for this work will build over time as these priorities are incorporated into its programming on HIV and AIDS.

More information

Report: Intensifying the Response: Halting the Spread of HIV

Website: World AIDS Campaign

 

 

DAY 6: Eliminating violence against women in Indonesia

In Indonesia, AusAID is supporting the Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women, Komnas Perempuan.

The Commission plays a leadership role in Indonesia strengthening efforts to prevent and address violence against women and advance women’s rights. 

This includes monitoring and reporting to government on all forms of violence against women and violations of women’s human rights; providing expert advice to support legal and policy reform; and facilitating a network across government and communities to support women’s rights.

Some of the activities delivered by Komnas Perempuan with Australia’s support are:

• developing and producing reference material and training on violence against women for important stakeholders such as judges and prosecutors
• improving the database on violence against women for use by civil society and government organizations
• undertaking strategic dialogue with key stakeholders on important women’s issues, relating to health, domestic workers, religious courts, or emerging issues impacting on women’s rights. 

Australia has provided a $1 million grant over two years, commencing in 2008-09, to the Commission.  The grant is funded through the Australia-Indonesia Partnership which aims to assist Indonesia in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, including promoting gender equality.

 

 

DAY 5: Increasing support to end violence against women in the Pacific

Community organisations play a major role in the Pacific in assisting women who are victims of violence and in advocating for an end to violence against women.

The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Pacific Regional Office is supporting these community organisations through its Pacific Fund to End Violence Against Women. 

The Fund supports organisations in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Cook Islands, Palau, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia, Vanuatu, Niue and Tokelau.

To date the Fund has provided grants to organisations in Fiji for a range of projects such as counselling for victims of violence, improving the economic independence of survivors of violence, funding research into the impact of violence on women’s lives and working with communities to change attitudes to violence against women.

Twenty one scholarships have also been awarded to individuals from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Marshall Islands and Tonga to attend training programs designed to improve crisis centre management and advocacy and increase knowledge of the role of legislative reform in ending violence against women.

AusAID has committed $800,000 to the Fund since it commenced operation in March 2009.  Other organisations that have contributed to the Fund include the British High Commission, UNIFEM and the National Committees for UNIFEM in Australia and New Zealand.

More information

Website: UNIFEM Pacific Regional Office

Video: Elizabeth Cox, Regional Programme Director, UNIFEM Pacific Regional Office, speaking at the launch of the "Stop Violence" report.

 

 

DAY 4: Eliminating violence against women in Cambodia

In Cambodia, Australia has supported research into the use of traditional conflict management in responding to domestic violence.

Somroh somruel is a traditional Cambodian form of conflict management through conciliation. At the village level, this generally involves the village chief bringing together the disputing parties for a conciliation meeting. This may also involve assistance from elders, lay religious leaders or persons of prestige or authority. If the conflict cannot be resolved, it will then be referred to the commune level, and then the police, district or court.

The research report, 'Somroh Somruel and Violence against Women', found that the practice of conciliation remains widespread, as citizens consider it easier, cheaper and more effective than conflict resolution at higher levels.

Researchers also found great variation in the mediation methods used throughout Cambodia. Another key issue highlighted in the research was that conciliators need to have a better understanding of the women’s human rights and Cambodian law, particularly when dealing with domestic violence.

Improving police and court responses to domestic violence is a long term effort, and the report recognises that mediation has strong cultural roots and high levels of acceptance. The report recommends developing guidelines for the mediation of domestic violence, and improving record keeping of the conciliation process.

The research report was commissioned by AusAID, in cooperation with the International Women’s Development Agency and local NGOs ADHOC and Banteay Srei, as part of the Community Action against Violence project. 'Somroh Somruel and Violence against Women', was funded as part of the Australian Government’s long-term assistance to Cambodia’s criminal justice system.

Somroh Somruel and Violence against Women [PDF 1.12mb]

 

 

DAY 3: Pacific leaders committed to end violence against women

In August 2009, Australia’s Prime Minister joined with leaders from across the Pacific in committing to eradicate sexual and gender based violence. The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders recognised that sexual and gender-based violence was a risk to human security and a potential destabilising factor for communities and societies. 

Leaders committed to support efforts to address sexual and gender-based violence, including ensuring that all individuals have equal protection of the law and equal access to justice.

These commitments are part of the Pacific Islands Forum Communiqué.

AusAID is actively working with its partners across the Pacific to support efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women.

 

 

DAY 2: Men challenging violence against women in Timor-Leste

In Timor-Leste, the Association of Men against Violence is working to engage men in ending violence against women. This men’s organisation recognises that gender equality will not occur without the involvement of men.

The Association of Men Against Violence works at the community level, in nine districts across Timor-Leste, to increase people’s knowledge and to change men’s behaviour on violence against women.

A key part of this is working with young men. The Association is also noted for innovative ‘guerrilla tactics’—creating mini-awareness moments whenever opportunities arise. An example of this strategy is members initiating loud conversation about gender equality while riding on a bus or attending a cockfight.

The Association of Men Against Violence works closely with the Government of Timor-Leste and other community groups as part of a network of organisations working to promote gender equality and to stop violence against women in Timor-Leste.

In 2009 AusAID provided $60,000 to support the work of the Association of Men Against Violence.

 

 

DAY 1: Australia supports White Ribbon Day and an end to violence against women

To mark White Ribbon Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has announced that Australia will provide $5.3 million over the next six years to support the work of the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre. The Centre is a leader in advocacy for women’s rights and in delivering practical services to support women who have been subjected to violence.

The Australian Government recognises that reducing violence against women is crucial to achieving global gender equality and delivering good development outcomes. To this end, Australia is committed to intensifying its efforts to address violence against women as part of the Australian international development assistance program.

Richard Moore, AusAID’s Gender Advocate and a White Ribbon Ambassador, speaks out about violence against women.

More information

Media release
White Ribbon Day in Australia and the White Ribbon Foundation

 

 

White Ribbon Day

November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The white ribbon has become the symbol for the day.

The main aim of the White Ribbon Campaign is to include men and boys in efforts to stop violence against women.  The White Ribbon campaign is run by men across the world, working in partnership with women.

Wearing a white ribbon is a statement that the wearer believes that violence towards women is unacceptable and that they do not support or condone the use of violence against women.

Violence against women and the Australian aid program

The Australian Government recognises that reducing violence against women is crucial to achieving equality between men and women and delivering good development outcomes.

The Australian Government has zero tolerance for violence against women and is committed to reducing violence against women in Australia, as well as contributing to international efforts to end violence against women globally and in our region.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign initiated by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991.  The campaign commences on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and concludes on December 10, International Human Rights Day. These dates were selected to create awareness that violence against women is a violation of human rights.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign is used as a platform for a range of activities by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is:

COMMIT ▪ ACT ▪ DEMAND: We CAN End Violence Against Women!