Day 16: What does security mean to IWDA staff, volunteers and Youth United for Equality?

The 16 Days Campaign begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends today, on International Human Rights Day, to symbolically link violence against women and human rights, and emphasise that violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights.

The United Nations reflects that in 2011: ‘millions of people decided the time had come to claim their rights. They took to the streets and demanded change. Many found their voices using the Internet and instant messaging to inform, inspire and mobilise supporters to seek their basic human rights. Social media helped activists organise peaceful protest movements in cities across the globe – from Tunis to Madrid, from Cairo to New York – at times in the face of violent repression.’

On the final day of our 16 Days Campaign, IWDA staff, volunteers and Youth United for Equality reflect on what security means to them in response to the Center for Women’s Global Leadership‘s question for the 16 Days.

The United Nations invites you to learn more about your rights and participate in their social media campaign for International Human Rights Day at www.celebratehumanrights.org.

Freedom from gender-based violence is a fundamental human right. We hope you have found that this 2011 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign has provided new insights into some of the vital work IWDA’s partners are doing to promote safety and security for women in their communities.

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The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. For each of the 16 Days from 25 November to 10 December 2011, the IWDA website will be featuring a different piece to highlight the work of our partners and explore ways that IWDA supporters can take part in the effort to end gender-based violence.

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 10th, 2011 under 16_Days, Front page, Recent.