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November 25 – December 10: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

November 22, 2013

Office of Public Affairs

November 25 to December 10 have been designated the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an annual campaign to raise awareness about gender-based violence.

In conjunction with the 16 Days, The Episcopal Church is calling for resources on gender-based violence in response to General Convention resolution A139 on Gender Violence. Parishes and dioceses are also invited to share information on ministries and events related to gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence, as defined by the United Nations in 1993, is any act “… that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.” According to the United Nations, gender-based violence is widespread across countries, classes, races, cultures and religions and affects individuals, their families and communities. It should be noted that men and boys are also subject to gender-based violence.

Send resources to Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church Global Relations officer. The resources gathered during the 16 days will be posted here. Info on the resources will be distributed.

“The annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign that began in 1991 at the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University,” explained Main.

The theme of the 2103 campaign is From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women! with three priority areas: violence perpetrated by state actors; domestic violence and the role of small arms; and sexual violence during and after conflict.

Main noted that key events also are marked during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, with the start and end dates emphasizing the link between violence against women and the violation of their human rights:

November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day

December 1 – World AIDS Day

December 10 – International Human Rights Day

Among the resources available for observing the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence:

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will preside and preach in the Chapel of Christ the Lord in the Episcopal Church Center, NYC, on November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women/White Ribbon Day.

In past years, Anglican Women’s Empowerment, Episcopal Church Women (ECW) and the Episcopal Women’s Caucus have jointly published daily prayers during the 16 Days. This year, the ECW National Board will post a daily prayer on the theme Violence Against Women and Girls; sign up for the free e-Communique newsletter here.
The Anglican Communion’s women’s desk published a resource called “Anglicans and the 16 Days” that features various resources and initiatives Communion-wide and is available here.

Episcopal Church Global Partnerships blog will feature daily contributions on gender-based violence by guest bloggers from around the Church.

A Letter to the Churches of the Anglican Communion from the Primates of the Anglican Communion following their Primates’ Meeting in Dublin, Ireland (24-30 January 2011)