Eight inspiring campaigns to end violence against women

Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — a day to call for an end to violence and inequality, to enforce laws and change mindsets.

An estimated 35% of women and girls experience some form of physical and/or sexual violence globally, but this abuse is preventable.

To commemorate 25 November, we acknowledge the campaigning efforts, past and present, of organisations working to combat one of the most widespread human rights abuses.

1. Orange YOUR Neighbourhood

This campaign is championed by the United Nations Secretary-General.

From 25 November until 10 December (Human Rights Day), Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon has launched the UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign inviting you to “Orange YOUR Neighbourhood”.

Participants are invited to take to social media to join in the conversation and #Orangeurhood events during the annual “16 Days of Activism” to stop violence against women and girls. The colour orange is encouraged as a symbol, to be used “creatively and visibly” in neighbourhoods by reaching out to local businesses, schools and libraries.

The #Orangeurhood campaign © UNiTE

2. Abused Goddesses

Save Our Sisters, an initiative launched in 2013 by Save the Children India, condemns sex trafficking and domestic violence through a series of recreated scenes of Indian goddesses.

Goddesses are traditionally worshipped in ancient mythology for their knowledge and power, yet in reality more than 68% of women in India are victims of domestic violence.

In a mix of hand-style painted Indian art and modern photography, the frequency of violence against women in India is represented on the bruised and battered faces of the Hindu goddesses.

© Taproot India

3. The Autocomplete Truth

In 2013 UN Women launched an advertising campaign to spark global debate on women’s rights, empowerment and gender equality.

The aim of The Autocomplete Truth campaign was to highlight the widespread prevalence of sexism and discrimination faced by women around the world.

Based on actual Google searches, the auto-complete of phrases after typing in the words “women should”, “women shouldn’t”, “women cannot” and “women need to” emphasised the appalling reality for women worldwide.

4. One Billion Rising

In 1998, V-Day — a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls — was established by a group of women in New York City. On its 15th anniversary in 2012, V-Day boycotted the international day of love in the “biggest mass action in human history” through One Billion Rising.

The action derived from a shocking statistic: 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during their lifetime. That’s more than one billion women and girls worldwide.

This year, events were held in over 200 countries, with women, men and youth gathering to dance outside places women typically feel unsafe, but should not; such as court houses, police stations, workplaces, school administration buildings and places of worship.

© One Billion Rising

5. White Ribbon Day and the City of Sydney

Every week at least one woman in Australia dies from domestic violence. The City of Sydney supports White Ribbon Day on 25 November, spreading the important message via garbage trucks that “There’s NO excuse for violence against women. It’s rubbish.”

Ahead of White Ribbon Day this year, City of Sydney staff made a pledge to never commit or tolerate violence against women.

In addition to the oath, White Ribbon and City of Sydney have partnered to raise awareness for violence against women through online training for their staff, and create policies to help end violence and support victims of abuse.

© City of Sydney

6. #ShineALight

In March this year Daily Life, in conjunction with The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH), asked their readers to take a pledge to end violence against women.

Hundreds of thousands of women and children live each day in violent homes. The #ShineALight campaign aims to shift how domestic violence is engaged with, placing the statistics at the forefront of the debate, and focusing on a change in media and society.

Beyond physical violence, the campaign also shines a light on the plight of women threatened by non-physical signs of abuse, such as controlling behaviour, as in the case of Lisa Harnum.

Alan Stokes, columnist and chief editorial writer for SMH, says the campaign aims to “bring Australia out of the dark ages of domestic violence and make it easier for every family to live in safety.”

© Daily Life

7. Our Watch

The organisation Our Watch was established to end all forms of violence against women and children in Australia, supported by many well-known ambassadors, such as comedian Charlie Pickering, author and model Tara Moss, and actor Shane Jacobson.

Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, Natasha Stott Despoja, launched the initiative to “stop this violence before it occurs” and change how the nation reacts to the impacts of gender stereotyping and inequality.

A five-year plan details the campaigns key strategies, including the National Media Engagement Project, to increase the quality of reporting by journalists and media organisations on violence against women and children.

8. Amnesty International

On 5 March 2004, Amnesty launched a worldwide campaign to end violence against women.

Thousands of Amnesty Australia supported the campaign, securing a landmark victory. In February 2011, the federal, state and territory Governments agreed to an integrated National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.

The plan lays out responsibilities, time frames and measures of success for reducing violence against women and children. Amnesty Campaigns Manager Hannah Harborow commented at the time: “The plan is a positive blueprint, covering the three key areas necessary to comprehensively address domestic violence and sexual assault in Australia. These are the prevention of violence, the provision of services for women fleeing violence, and the prosecution of offenders via effective justice system responses.”

© AFP / Aref Karimi

How you can help

You can get involved with any of the organisations featured in this article to do your bit to stop violence against women and girls.

Affected by domestic violence or sexual assault? Read our list of support services around Australia to find out how to get help.