16 DAYS OF ACTION
16 Day of Action Awareness Raising Events.
16 Days of Action against Violence against Women runs from 25th November (International Day against Violence against Women) to 10th December (International Human rights Day).
The 16 Days of Action Campaign is an international event, it began in 1991 and now has over 1,000 organisations from 139 countries participating.
In 1999, the United Nations officially recognised November 25th as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The aims of the campaign are to;
- Highlight the prevalence of violence against women.
- To raise awareness of the issue as a Human Rights issue at Local, National and International levels.
The campaign also aims to show the solidarity of women around the world and to work towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women.
This awareness campaign has been funded by COSC.
Women’s Aid Dundalk successful 16 Days of Action Campaign
Women’s Aid Dundalk would like to thank everyone for their support during the 16 Days of Action. The 16 days started on November 25th
(International Day against violence against women) and ended December 10th, (Human Rights Day), during which we handed out over 2000 pens displaying our helpline number and 1500 White Ribbons.
“The 16 days of action is a big part of our awareness raising efforts as it’s important that we get people thinking and talking about domestic violence. It’s also vital that we get our 24 hr helpline number out to as many people as possible so women can contact us whenever they need to” said a spokesperson from Women’s Aid Dundalk.
The campaign began at Market Square on Thursday 25th of November highlighting this year’s theme ‘Why doesn’t she just leave - the barriers facing women.’ A wooden structure was erected with the reasons that make it so difficult for a woman to leave a domestic violence situation displayed on the structure. It generated great interest and discussion from passers by who were very supportive. Pens with the helpline number and white ribbons were also handed out by staff.
Minister Dermot Ahern officially launched the 16 Day’s of Action that evening which was held in the Louth County Museum. The premiere of the DVD “Why doesn’t she just leave” took place, it was produced by Stephen Leonard and featured local radio presenter Eileen Corcoran who agreed to step into the shoes of a woman who was in an abusive relationship and take part in a live re-enactment of her journey as she take her first steps in leaving that relationship. Eileen spoke very honestly about her feelings and emotions while taking this journey and praised the work that Women’s Aid Dundalk carry out.
Local Drama group ‘Reach’ also performed a number of moving pieces to music and highlighted different forms of abuse that women and children face daily including verbal, emotional and physical abuse.
” It was really inspiring to watch a young group of teenagers which such a deep understanding of the issue of domestic violence and a real passion to speak out against it”
The student’s Union in DKIT were also very supportive in particular of the White Ribbon Campaign and invited us up to the college on the 30th of November to raise awareness among the student population. It was a great success with men and women wearing the White Ribbons and all the student’s taking pens with our helpline number.
Women’s Aid Dundalk can be contacted on our 24 hour helpline 042 9333244.
For more information please contact us through the contact us link at the top of the page.
