Below is the first blog in the 2022 SERIES. The 2023 SERIES WILL START ON 25TH NOVEMBER 2023. This is a taster of what to expect. You can read all of last year’s blogs under the category 16 Days of Freedom. The 2023 series will be posted daily on Linkedin, FB & IG or you can email us to have them sent ahead to you. [email protected]
It’s 2022 – the year 22-yr-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody, sparking a wave of protests in Iran and around the world.
Violence against women is a significant international human rights issue, and whilst some may believe it’s an atrocity that happens elsewhere, Australia is no exception.
Did you know we are 44 weeks into 2022? And in that time, the lives of at least 41 Australian women have been cut short due to violence – that’s nearly one per week, and many the result of relationship violence.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics:
- 1 in 5 women has experienced sexual violence
- 1 in 3 women has experienced physical violence
- 1 in 3 women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man they know
- 1 in 4 women has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner
- 1 in 4 women has experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner
- Almost 10 women a day are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by a spouse or domestic partner
Many of the above have experienced this violence since the age of 15, and the trauma remains a significant part of their lives.
The United Nations (UN) has declared today, November 25th, to be International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Although violence can be experienced by anyone, women are disproportionately subjected to violent crimes and often face severe injustices. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Sexual harassment
- Human trafficking
- Modern slavery
- Domestic violence
- Femicide
As a result, women who suffer these unjust crimes, unfortunately, go on to experience short and long-term consequences and subsequent damage to their mental, physical and emotional health. These offences also negatively influence economic GDP, societal behaviours, and the state of future generations.
There has been continuing and increasing public coverage in recent years to raise awareness of this issue, which has solidified laws against such violent crimes, but we have a long way to go. Violence and exploitation are large challenges to eradicate.
However, uniting to reaffirm the basic human rights of women will eventually bring about change.
“Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. These rights include:
- The right to life;
- The right to equality;
- The right to liberty and security of person;
- The right to equal protection under the law;
- The right to be free from all forms of discrimination;
- The right to the highest standard attainable of physical and mental health;
- The right to just and favourable conditions of work;
- The right not to be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Article 4
What to do – 16 Days of Freedom
To expand the movement to eliminate violence against women, the UN established an annual international campaign – 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence – starting on 25 November, which culminates in Human Rights Day on 10 December. This initiative calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts, and share knowledge and innovations for real efforts toward violence prevention and elimination.
Motivated by the 16 Days Campaign, The Freedom Hub started 16 Days of Freedom, releasing a blog each day to inform and further incite messages of freedom from modern slavery.
Follow our social pages to stay informed – We will be sharing updated statistics concerning modern slavery and violence against women. Plus there will be real stories from survivors who have overcome enormous challenges, and their inspiring voices and achievements should be heard. Joining these 16days of Freedom will inform you more and show your friends you care about women’s equality.
Be the change – it starts with you. All of us reading and sharing this article is an important step toward the betterment of the issue at hand!
“Like a butterfly that beats its wings in one corner of the globe and with that single action changes the weather halfway across the world” (Alice Hoffman)
In tomorrow’s article, we will discuss why knowledge forms an integral part of liberation from slavery. In addition to sharing this article:
- Start asking questions and looking into this issue
- Share The Freedom Hub social pages with your friends
- Join campaigns and organisations that dedicate themselves to humanitarian causes.
- Support local businesses that support the mission to end modern slavery in Australia, and
- Come along to the Sydney Freedom Fair on 3 December where we will showcase a variety of ethical suppliers united in this mission with us
Make a Difference
End-of-Year Giving – buy any end-of-year gifts from our shop with the security that 100% of the profits will support survivors of slavery in our survivor school.
The Freedom Fair – Meet ethical vendors on 3 December who are fighting modern-day slavery in their supply chains. Find out more here.
Join our Community
We have local volunteer teams that are always looking for new members, contact us here.
We issue monthly updates with events and action items, opt-in here.
If you would like to support a survivor, donate here. (tax-deductible)