From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women
(25 November -- 10 December 2012)
The 16 Days campaign is an opportunity to show international solidarity in the fight to end violence against women. This year's theme--From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World--highlights the link between militarism and gender violence, as well as the role of women as peacemakers in their own homes and nations. Amnesty International joins with the 16 Days Campaign and with organizations and people all over the world to promote women's rights to peace and freedom from violence. Join with us these 16 days to stand against gender violence and help us end violence against women!
What is Gender-based violence?
Gender-based violence is violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman, or is violence that affects women disproportionately. Both gender-based violence and violence against women are terms used to describe human rights violations committed against women that stem from gender inequality and the failure of governments and societies to recognize the human rights of women. Acts of gender-based violence can include domestic violence, sexual abuse, rape, sexual harassment, trafficking of women, forced prostitution, harmful social practices, and more.
What is Militarism?
Militarism is a process whereby military values, institutions and patterns of behavior have a dominant influence over society. It is an ideology that creates a culture of fear and supports the use of violence, aggression, or military interventions for settling disputes and enforcing economic and political interests. Militarization often precedes conflict, almost always accompanies it, and can remain a part of its legacy.
This year we seek to raise awareness about militarism and violence against women in eight different contexts around the world. Through this landing page you can explore the global dimensions of gender violence and militarism, access current Amnesty research and campaigns on this issue, and take action for women's rights throughout the 16 days!
The 16 Days against gender violence campaign focuses on the following themes:
- Bringing together women, peace, and human rights movements to challenge militarism
- Sexual violence in and after conflict
- Sexual and gender-based violence committed by state agents, particularly the military or police
The 16 Days campaign will also highlight individual cases from Amnesty's Letter Writing Marathon (our global Write-a-thon) which will take place from December 5 to 16.
You can make a difference!
Learn more about each of the featured countries below featured for the 16 Days to find out more about women's human rights and gender violence and how you can take action to fight for women's human rights around the globe.
Click on each of the following linked issue briefs below to learn more about militarism and violence against women in a number of countries and issues around the world.
For more information about these issues, or how you can get involved as a women's human rights defender, please visit us at www.amnestyusa.org/women or email Amnesty International USA's Women's Human Rights Coordination Group at WHR@aiusa.org, where you can sign up to join our Women's Action Network to receive women's rights updates and action opportunities.
To access the following materials in Spanish, click here.
Finally, we'd like to hear from you about your planned events, activities and materials. Please send your 16 Days plans to us at WHR@aiusa.org by December 20, 2012 so we can chart and recognize the amazing activism we all are doing on behalf of women's human rights.
Don’t forget to follow the Women's Human Rights Coordination Group on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date on women's human rights!
