Amnesty Gets Behind Campaign To Stop Violence Against Women

Amnesty International is hosting various events around the country this week to raise awareness for the millions of women worldwide robbed of a voice to speak up against violence.

Today (25th November) marks White Ribbon Day, the international day where people wear a white ribbon to show they do not condone violence against women. This day also launches Amnesty International’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence which runs until Human Rights Day on 10th December.

“Violence against women is the most widespread human rights injustice in the world and it affects women in all sectors of society,” says Rebecca Emery, Amnesty’s spokesperson.

Statistics show that in New Zealand, one in three women have suffered physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their partner. Globally, the World Health Organisation has reported 70% of female murder victims have been killed by their male partners.

Justine Masika Bihamba, a women’s rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one tragic example of women and their children as victims of gender-based abuse.

Army soldiers forced their way into Justine’s home last year, held her six children at gunpoint, and assaulted two of them, including sexually attacking Justine’s 21-year-old daughter with a knife. These innocent children were targeted by the DRC military simply because of Justine’s work as a co-ordinator for a women’s rights NGO.

“These figures and cases portray the grim reality of violence against women, and we are urging Kiwis to act locally to put an end to this global crisis” says Emery.

New Zealanders can play their part by wearing a white ribbon, attending an Amnesty White Ribbon Day event, and putting their names to UNIFEM’s Million Signatures petition. At each Amnesty event, people will have the chance to take action on behalf of incredibly brave women such as Justine Masika Bihamba.

Click here to read a statement from Irene Khan, Amnesty Interrnational's Secretary General, on  the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Click here to find out more about Amnesty's Stop Violence Against Women campaign, and how YOU can make an impact

UPDATE! Over FIVE MILLION signatures on UNIFEM's Say NO to Violence against Women

Amnesty International supported the UNIFEM petition to Say No to Violence against Women. This was a global Internet-based petition to show that there is an ever-growing movement of people who raise their voices and demand that ending violence against women is a top priority for governments everywhere. The aim of the petition was to reach one million signatures in order to obtain a public commitment from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, prior or on 25th November.