25th NOVEMBER - 10th DECEMBER 2008

25th NOVEMBER - 10th DECEMBER 2008
WHAT IS THE 16 DAY CAMPAIGN?
The 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign started in 1991 by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership in New Jersey. Since then, over 2,000 organisations in 154 countries have taken part. In Ireland, the 16 Days Campaign continues to gather momentum since the first Women's Aid public action outside Dáil Éireann in November 1996.

DATES
The dates, 25th November (International Day Opposing Violence Against Women) and 10th December (International Human Rights Day) symbolically link violence against women and human rights to show that such violence is a violation of a woman's human rights.


THE AIMS
The 16 Days Campaign has been an opportunity for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by:

1. Highlighting the nature and prevalence of violence against women.
2. Raising awareness of violence against women as a human rights issue.
3. Showing solidarity among women around the world.
4. Putting violence against women on the political and media agenda.
5. Stregthening local work aimed at tackling violence against women.

Women's Aid will post regular updates listing details of 16 Days events and awareness raising activities being held around Ireland. If you are organising an event, no matter how big or small, please submit details to christina.sherlock@womensaid.ie or call us on 01-8684721


WOMEN'S AID 16 DAYS 'HOME TRUTHS' CAMPAIGN

WOMEN'S AID 16 DAYS 'HOME TRUTHS' CAMPAIGN
EVERY DAY IN IRELAND women are beaten, raped and trapped in their own homes by those closest to them - their husbands and partners. One in five Irish women experience domestic violence. It can affect every woman regardless of age, marital status, class or cultural background. Domestic violence is a violation of a woman's right to safety, to freedom, and all too often, to her right to life itself.

Women's Aid will mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights during the 16 Days of Action 2008 by running the 'HOME TRUTHS: THINK WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS - THINK HOME' campaign.

For most of us HOME is a place of love, respect and safety - a sanctuary from the stresses and trials of every day life. However, for an estimated 213,000 women in Ireland, home is a place where they experience injury, severe abuse, fear and terror.

Article 5 of the UDHR affirms that 'No one shall be subjected torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.' However, this basic human right is not realised for the many women in Irish society who experience physical, emotional and sexual abuse in their own homes.

Women's Aid's series of actions during the 16 Days Campaign will bring to light the truth about 'HOME' for one in five Irish women.

Click here for more information on the Women's Aid 'Home Truths' Campaign.

16 DAYS ONLINE RESOURCES

The 16 Days Campaign will only work with the support of people in local communities and other organisations nationwide. Each of us can make a difference and demand an end to violence against women.

Women's Aid has pulled together some online resources
that may be useful if you would like to participate in or support the 16 Days Campaign.


CAMPAIGN EVENTS & UPDATES

Keep up to date with all events and actions in Ireland during the 16 Days Campaign below:

Saturday, December 06, 2008

The 16 Days of Action - Day 12

Today, is Day 12 of the 16 Days of Action and also the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre when a gunman shot dead 14 female engineer students for being 'feminists'. Click here to find out more about the massacre.

In Ireland, the 16 Days campaign continues. From 11-4pm today, the Cobh Family Resource Centre in association with Robin Hill Clinic, is having a pampering day. The purpose of this day is to encourage women to take better care of themselves holistically. Individual personalised invitations were sent out.Women will be able to avail of the following workshops/treatments:- What is counselling?- N L P- homeopathy- acupuncture- Massage- Reflexology- Indian Head massage- Reiki- Beauty therapy. The charge of €6.00 will go towards the fund they have in place for their crisis counselling service.

Events which began earlier in the 16 Days continue today, including:

  • The Women's Aid 'Love Hearts' Postcard Awareness Campaign
  • The Women's Aid '16 Facts for 16 Days' Email Campaign
  • Sonas Housing Association Postcard Awareness Campaign
  • 'In Her Shoes' exhibitions in Westport, Castlebar, Ballina, Claremorris and Belmullet (Mayo) and in the Solas Family Resource Centre, Headford, and Aonad Family Resource Centre, Galway
  • Newpark Close Family Resource Centre in Kilkenny will start their exhibition entitled 'Secret Life'.
  • Northwest Roscommon CDP Ltd will also be running an "In Her Shoes" Exhibition in support of the 16 Campaign.
  • St. Fergal's Family Resource Centre 'Don't Bring Me Flowers' Campaign in Bray
  • The South West Kerry Women's Association 16 Days Art Competition
  • Castlerea Women's Group, Co. Roscommon 'Shine a Light' awareness campaign
  • Ronanstown CDP, Dublin 'Light a Candle Campaign'
  • The Doras Buí community 'vision wall' and large banner display, Coolock, Dublin 5
  • Newbridge Family Resource Centre's 'Leave Your Mark against Violence against Women' Campaign
  • Ringsend Action Project, Dublin 4 'The Phone' Campaign
  • Aoibneas Women and Children's Refuge in Coolock, Dublin 5 '16 Days - 16 Scenarios' email campaign
  • Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service Art and Poetry Exhibition
  • YANA, North Cork Domestic Violence Project, 'Where there is darkness there is light' 16 Days Campaign
  • Inishowen Women's Outreach will be carrying out training and awareness raising sessions in local health centres and surgeries throughout the 16 Days.
Other events may be taking place around the country. Contact your local domestic violence service or Rape Crisis Centre directly.

Support the 16 Days Campaign - End Violence against Women.
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