Amnesty gets behind campaign to stop violence against women
Media Release 25th November 2008 For immediate release
Amnesty International is hosting various events around the country this week to raise awareness for the millions of
women worldwide robbed of a voice to speak up against violence.
Toady (25th November) marks White Ribbon Day, the international day where people wear a white ribbon to show they do not
condone violence against women. This day also launches Amnesty International’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender
Violence which runs until Human Rights Day on 10th December.
“Violence against women is the most widespread human rights injustice in the world and it affects women in all sectors
of society,” says Rebecca Emery, Amnesty’s spokesperson.
Statistics show that in New Zealand, one in three women have suffered physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their
partner. Globally, the World Health Organisation has reported 70% of female murder victims have been killed by their
male partners.
Justine Masika Bihamba, a women’s rights activist in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one tragic example of women
and their children as victims of gender-based abuse.
Army soldiers forced their way into Justine’s home last year, held her six children at gunpoint, and assaulted two of
them, including sexually attacking Justine’s 21-year-old daughter with a knife. These innocent children were targeted by
the DRC military simply because of Justine’s work as a co-ordinator for a women’s rights NGO.
“These figures and cases portray the grim reality of violence against women, and we are urging Kiwis to act locally to
put an end to this global crisis” says Emery.
New Zealanders can play their part by wearing a white ribbon, attending an Amnesty White Ribbon Day event, and putting
their names to UNIFEM’s Million Signatures petition. At each Amnesty event, people will have the chance to take action
on behalf of incredibly brave women such as Justine Masika Bihamba.
For more details about Amnesty’s White Ribbon Day events, and how you can help to make a difference to protect Women
Human Rights Defenders, please visit www.standbyme.org
Background:
White Ribbon Day (25 November) was started by a men’s movement in Canada in 1991, in response to the Ecole Polytechnique
massacre where 14 women were killed by an anti-feminist on 6th December 1989. This day has been officially adopted by
the United Nations as its International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and people wear a white
ribbon to protest violence against women.
Amnesty International’s 16 Days of Activism: Since 2004, Amnesty International has taken part in the 16 Days of Activism
against Gender Violence, a period of global campaigning during which thousands of people and organisations worldwide
take a stand against gender-based violence. The 16 Days run from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women) till 10 December (International Human Rights Day). These symbolic dates emphasise that violence
against women is a grave human rights violation.
UNIFEM Million Signatures Petition: Amnesty International globally is supporting the UNIFEM petition to Say No to
Violence against Women. The aim is to increase the number of signatories to one-million in order to obtain a public
commitment from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon prior or on 25th November. Add your name to the petition at
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/index.htm
ENDS