As the world retreated inside homes due to the lockdown measures introduced to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, reports showed an alarming increase in the already existing pandemic of violence against women.
“Accompanying the crisis has been a spike in domestic violence reporting, at exactly the time that services, including rule of law, health and shelters, are being diverted to address the pandemic,” stated the UN Secretary-General’s report, “Shared Responsibility, Global Solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19“.
You can make a difference during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and protracted state of crisis it has generated across the world. You can support women and girl survivors of violence to stay safe and free of violence. Take action during this year’s 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence. For more information about “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” and action ideas, see this year’s concept note.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
In NSW, a range of organisations are delivering events and initiatives during the 16 Days of Activism. Including:
Community Vigil — 25 November, 4pm-5pm
Individuals must register to attend, or can watch and listen from Domestic Violence NSW Facebook page. Flyer and map attached.
Responding with Compassion — 30 November 2020, 4pm-5pm
If you work in the service industry or deal with customers, the incidental conversations you have can be an important opportunity to help prevent domestic violence. In this webinar you’ll learn how to identify situations of domestic and family violence. You’ll also learn how to have supportive conversations with those impacted by domestic violence.
Register here or get more information here.
Keeping Women and Children Safe Forum — 2 December, 10am-1pm
Details and registration here.
Free Online Author Talk with Jess Hill — 2 December 2020, 1pm–2pm
Jess Hill, author of the acclaimed See What You Made Me Do, will be delivering a free online talk for the City of Sydney. An investigative journalist, Hill has researched domestic and family violence since 2014. This free talk is open to all and will focus on increasing our understanding of domestic violence and increasing our capacity, individually and as a community, to ending domestic and family violence.
Register here or get more information here.