Around the world, women and girls are being subjected to violence every day. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, reports show that all forms of violence against women have increased, exacerbating this pervasive human rights violation. Acting to end the scourge of violence can feel overwhelming and insurmountable.
But activists and survivors around the world are demonstrating how everyday actions can make a difference. For the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (25 Nov – 10 Dec), and as part of the Generation Equality campaign, UN Women hands over the microphone to five individuals working to end discrimination, sexual assault, domestic violence. and harassment. Hear their stories in this Hand over the Mic video series and then take a stand to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
The UN Generation Equality Campaign for Women is part of our efforts for Beijing + 25 and the building of new actions and commitments to end violence against women during the Generation Equality Forum in Mexico and France in 2021.
Do not be a spectator: domestic violence dismantled, one action at a time
Sia Kukaewkasem is a lawyer, social worker and survivor of domestic violence from Thailand, who founded the Freedom Restoration Project in 2016 as a way to provide counseling services to migrant women from Myanmar.
In this Hand over the Mic episode, she recounts her experience of growing up in a culture that normalizes domestic violence and describes how it motivated her work to support other survivors. Sia urges us not to be passive bystanders when we witness or hear of any violence, and to take a stand and take action to support survivors.
Fill the streets: Add your voice to the movement to end female murder
Vanina Escales, from Argentina, is a feminist journalist and activist, and one of the founders of the #NiUnaMenos movement against violence against women and girls.
In this Hand over the Mic episode, she explains how the movement was born as a contradiction with sexist and sensational media coverage of a series of murders of women in 2014-2015, how the movement developed and grew, and why protest is an effective way to generate. social change. Vanina invites us to add our voices to the movement and to say “enough” for women murder and all other forms of violence against women.
Organize now: Mobilizing a community to end harassment of women and girls
Rotimi Olawale is a Gender Equality Advocate and the Executive Director of YouthHub Africa, a Spotlight Initiative partner whose work in Nigeria focuses on youth development, education and leadership, with a specific focus on male involvement.
In this Hand over the Mic episode, he discusses how a simple online petition catalyzes a positive impact on women in Abuja, Nigeria. Rotimi emphasizes the importance of organizing now and using networks we have available to advocate a life without violence for women and girls.
This is our common struggle: simple ideas can lead to greater security for women protesters
Soraya Bahgat became a self-proclaimed ‘casual activist’ when she founded the Tahrir Bodyguard, a volunteer movement with a mandate to prevent sexual assault by the crowd in Tahrir Square, Cairo during the 2011 Egyptian revolution.
In this Hand over the Microphone episode, she emphasizes that a lack of resources cannot stop a powerful idea as long as you reach out and ask for help. Soraya believes that every idea and action can make a difference, and encourages us to do our part in the collective struggle to end violence against women.
Eradicate stereotypes: Encourage social change to end violence against women
Anastasiia Yeva Domani is an activist and consultant for Trans Coalition and one of the most visible transgender women in her country, Ukraine.
In this Hand over the Mic episode, she describes how her experience of physical assault in 2018 motivated her to plead for the transgender community. Anastasiia emphasizes the importance of eradicating harmful stereotypes and reminds us that any change we want to see in society must begin with ourselves.