International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Over the Weekend I got to lend my voice to an amazing initiative. November 25th actually began 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, that runs annually from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day.

The purpose of the Zonta Say No to Violence campaign is to bring awareness to GBV and to educate society of the dangers related to this issue. This initiative is also a global annual initiative for Zonta Clubs around the world. The theme for 2017 is “Together We Can End GBV in Education.”

· Zonta is an organization made up of professional women whose main objective is the empowerment of women and girls in society. Zonta seeks to ensure that women and girls are provided with the skills and opportunities to become well adjusted, contributing ad patriotic citizens.

· Overall, the campaign was established to offer a global platform for action for governments, organizations, and individuals from around the world to mobilize and call attention to the urgent need to end gender-based violence in all forms.

· Women and girls are the most at risk and most affected by GBV. Consequently, the terms “violence against women” and “gender-based violence” are often used interchangeably. However, boys and men can also experience GBV, as can sexual and gender minorities. Regardless of the target, GBV is rooted in structural inequalities between men and women and is characterized by the use of physical, emotional, or financial power and control.

· For the purpose of this campaign our focus is violence against women.

Let's come together as a community to spread the message LOVE SHOULD NOT HURT!!! Say no to Violence against people all over the world!!

· Some Quick Facts:

1.  One in three women worldwide will experience GVB in her lifetime, and in some countries, up to 70 percent of female populations are affected.
   

2.  Studies indicate that the risk of HIV among women who have experienced violence may be up to three times higher than among those who have not, with rape and partner violence contributing to the growing infection rate.
   

3.  Surveys reveal that around one in three girls and one in seven boys reported experience sexual violence and one in four girls report that their first sexual experience happened unwillingly.
   

4.  According to the August 2015 Strategic Plan to Address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), The Bahamas is ranked among the top countries in the Caribbean for GBV that constitutes a major public health issue in our country that costs the government and estimated $6 million annually. 
   

5.  The report states that 45 women were killed as a result of intimate partner violence in the period 2005 – 2010.  Annual police reports documented 9,045 assault cases against females from 2008 – 2012.
   

6.  Although we do not have more current statistics, we are all aware that violence against women in The Bahamas is still prevalent.   We have heard a number of cases of GBV ending in murder over the years and this year, even reaching the family islands.
   

· Orange Ribbons. We wish to bring the public’s attention to our orange ribbons that they will see in strategic locations around town to raise aware of GBV. Orange is the color designation by the United Nation for this campaign.