“human trafficking is an extreme form of violence against women and girls.” - Photo:canva.com
The United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 25th November launches sixteen days of activism.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread and devastating violations of human rights in the world today. The adverse psychological, physical and sexual impacts of violence affect women and girls of all ages and impacts their whole lives. Some groups of women and girls are at greater risk of violence, including young girls and older women, migrants and refugees, Indigenous women, women and girls living with disabilities and women who identify as lesbian, bisexual or transgender. To this day, violence inflicted on women and girls goes largely unreported due to impunity, silence, stigma and shame.
The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women was made in 1993 to condemn gendered violence and urge the pursuit of all appropriate means to ensure women and girls have equal protection of their human rights and freedom in all spheres of life.
The International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women launches sixteen days of activism leading up to International Human Rights Day (10th December). Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) is taking part in the global campaign. ACRATH invite participation in the focus areas for their sixteen days of activism. ACRATH says “human trafficking is an extreme form of violence against women and girls.” Let us all stand up for sixteen days of activism against gender-based violence.
Sr Caroline Vaitkunas RSM
Peace, Ecology and Justice Office
Columban Mission Centre, Essendon
Related links
- Read: ACRATH 16-Days-Activism