16 Days of Activism Against Violence: There is a reason to join in both Europe and Ukraine
26 November 2024 10:56
Every year, from November 25 to December 10, the 16 Days Against Violence campaign takes place around the world. The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, reminded of this, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
These 16 days of activism began on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and end on December 10, the International Human Rights Day.
According to the Ukrainian Ombudsperson, this initiative is aimed at drawing public attention to the problems of violence in all its manifestations: domestic, gender, psychological, physical, sexual, as well as human trafficking and human rights violations.
“To break the silence on violence, to raise awareness of this problem and to prevent any manifestations of violence,” is how Dmytro Lubinets outlined the goal of the campaign.
What can each of us do?
– Support the victims. “Don’t ignore people who are experiencing violence, even if it seems to be someone else’s problem,” the Ukrainian Ombudsman calls.
– Spread the word. Share campaign materials on social media so that more people know how to prevent violence.
– Respect human rights. “No one should be subjected to acts of violence,” emphasizes Dmytro Lubinets.
The European Union is sounding the alarm
On the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the EU has studied the impact of violence on 229 million women living in the EU. According to The Guardian, the findings, based on responses from women aged 18 to 74 from all 27 EU member states, were published the day before.
As it turns out, one in six women in the EU has experienced sexual violence, including rape, as an adult. About 19% of women said they had experienced violence or threats of violence from a person living in their family.
Overall, the survey found that one in three women in the EU has experienced physical violence, including threats, or sexual violence. One official called it an “invisible epidemic”.
Where to go for help
The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, offered contacts to help survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in his post:
15-47 – government hotline for victims of domestic violence;
102 – to call the police;
116-123 (from a mobile phone); 0 800 500 335 – National hotline for the prevention of domestic violence, human trafficking and gender discrimination.
