Major conference organised by Banúlacht and the Clare and Limerick Women's Networks, 26th November 2009 for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
Nata Duvvury in her key-note speech reminded us of the origins of the 16 Days:
"Nearly two decades ago, in a basement in New Jersey, a group of women strategized on how to advance advocacy on violence against women. A key decision these women made was to launch 16 days of activism linking together November 25th, International day on Violence Against Women which marked the martyrdom of the Mirabel sisters and December 10th International Day on Human Rights. The group of women were not a small set of white women but were women drawn from all over the world as part of the first global women’s leadership institute organized by Rutgers university. The idea originated by these women grew out of a deep solidarity between women of the global south and north and underscored that violence against women is a global problem and a gross human rights violation. The 16 days of activism has grown into a vast movement with legs of its own and is a critical moment of mobilisation by women across the globe from Tanzania to Kenya to Philippines to Brazil to Ireland to Poland to Turkey to Iraq to India. Overall 2000 organisations in more than 156 countries have participated in 16 days campaign since 1991." (For the text of the full speech, as well as other spepches and inpts from the event, see http://www.banulacht.ie/conferences.htm)
Dr Nata Duvvury and Leila Sheikh, key note speakers, listen to Margart Martin, Women's Aid at the conference.What is the 16 days campaign?
One in three women worldwide face abuse, violence and rape everyday. In no country of the world are women free from this fear and terror. In Ireland, it is estimated that 213,000 women are living with severe abuse from their boyfriends, husbands and partners. The 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign that started in 1991.
Limerick Local Area Network on Violence Against Women – "Washing Line Gathering" outside the City Hall in Limerick to launch of the 16 Days Campaign, which also included the "In Her Shoes" Exhibition at the City Hall. The washing line was also on display at the conference.Since then, over 2000 groups in 154 countries have taken part. The 25th November (UN Day Opposing Violence against Women) and 10th December (Human Rights Day), were chosen to symbolise the link between violence against women and human rights abuses and to highlight that today, women and girls are subjected to many forms of human rights violations solely on the basis of their gender. The 16 Days period includes other significant dates such as International Human Rights Defenders Day (29th November), World Aids Day (1st December) and the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre (6th December).
The 16 Days Campaign is an opportunity for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by:
Highlighting the nature and prevalence of violence against women
Raising awareness of violence against women as a human rights issue
Showing solidarity among women around the world
Promoting women's leadership
Lobbying government
Strengthening local work to tackle violence against women
Making women safer in their own homes
(Source: Women’s Aid)
Martina Hynan and participants in the arts workshop "Drawing the Local and Global Together"
