Some further information and web links:

November 25th: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Women’s activists have marked November 25th as a day against violence since 1981. The date came from the brutal 1961 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic. They were a symbol of resistance against the dictatorship of the day. Each year, their death and violence against women worldwide, is remembered on this day. This has been a United Nations Day since 1999.

Why 16 days???

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including December 1, which is World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre (when a man gunned down 14 women engineering students.)

So the campaign emphasises that all gender violence is an abuse of fundamental human rights.

This year’s theme:

“For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World:

No More Violence”

Contact

the Center for Women’s Global Leadership for a 2004 Take Action Kit. 160 Ryders Lane, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/about.html

In 2004, there will be a special campaign called On the Wings of a Dove, addressed to the churches. This worldwide campaign shares the 16 Days and has been initiated by The World Council of Churches. It aims to engage the churches in practical responses to overcoming violence and highlight actions for church communities. It also highlights the timeframe of the Decade to Overcome Violence. (2001 – 2010)

On the wings of a Dove:

WCC Project on Overcoming Violence Against Women,

Website: http://sites.ecosse.net/wcc.dov-women

National council churches – Australia http://www.ncca.org.au/dov/on_the_wings_of_a_dove

Decade to Overcome Violence

(2001-2010)

Churches Seeking Reconciliation and Peace

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contact: http://www.overcomingviolence.org/

16 DAYS OF ACTION AND REFLECTION.

From the anniversary of the brutal assassination of three strong women activists in the Dominican Republic, (25th November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to the day the world marks as International Human Rights Day (December 10th)

We believe that the power to create and re-create is in our hands. Here we offer you a focus for each of the 16 Days.

We remember each and every survivor/victim of gender violence.

At the Good Shepherd Social Justice office we will pause and light a candle

each day; we invite you to join with us and others around the world.

Nov. 25: Women victims of domestic violence, battered wives, marital rape

Nov. 26: Victims/survivors of rape, incest, sexually abused/harassed

Nov. 27: Female infanticide and selective abortions, female genital mutilation

Nov. 28: Maltreated and sexually abused children

Nov. 29: Victims/survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution

Nov. 30: Women victims of unfair labour practice (e.g. contractualisation, etc.)

Dec. 1: Victims/survivors of AIDS

Dec. 2: Victims of war/militarism

Dec. 3: Victims of media violence

Dec. 4: Women migrant workers

Dec. 5: Women victims of sexual abuses in the church

Dec. 6: Women victims of violence/injustices from the rural areas

Dec. 7: Women from the cultural minorities who suffer violence and injustice

Dec. 8: Women/children suffer from acute poverty and displacement

Dec. 9: For all victims of gender violence particularly violence against homosexuals Dec. 10: Women in death row & all those detained and victims of Human Rights Violations

Based on the reflection from the Women and Gender Commission of the Major Religious Superiors Philippines, in the and the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies Student Body .

Imagine a world without violence…

We give thanks for places of simplicity and peace.

Let us find such a place within ourselves.

We give thanks for places of refuge and beauty.

Let us find such a place within ourselves.

.Let us search for these places in the world, in ourselves and in others.

Let us restore them, let us strengthen and protect them and let us create them.