Women's Aid Dundalk to take part in 16 Days of Action global campaign

Women's Aid Dundalk has confirmed that it will be active in a number of events this year, as part of the global campaign, 16 Days of Action, an organizing strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence.

The 16 Days of Action Campaign is seen as an important opportunity to raise awareness and call for change at an international, national and local level to end violence against women and girls.

Since 1991, the campaign has been active between November 25, the International Day Against Violence Against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day.

The dates for the campaign were chosen to link violence against women and human rights and emphasize that gender-based violence against women is a violation of human rights.

The global theme of this year’s 16 Days of Action is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”. The campaign aims to:

• raise awareness about gender-based violence against women as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional, and international levels.
• strengthen local work around gender-based violence against women.
• establish a clear link between local and international work to end gender-based violence against women.
• provide a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies.
• demonstrate the solidarity of women around the world organizing against gender-based violence against women.
• create tools to pressure governments to implement commitments to eliminate gender-based violence against women.

Women’s Aid Dundalk are holding several awareness raising mornings including on Monday 27 November in AIB, Tuesday 28 November in Market St Credit Union, Wednesday 29 November in The Ramparts Credit Union and Wednesday 6 December in Permanent TSB.

The local organisation will also have a table at the Fairways Christmas Craft Fair on Sunday 3 December. They are also holding a screening of the film “Herself” in An Tain Arts Centre at 8pm on Thursday 30 November. Those interested in attending are asked to register their interest by emailing info@womensaiddlk.net.

Women’s Aid Dundalk says that the fountain at the Market Square in Dundalk will also be lit up purple on the first and last day of the 16 days.