UN Women

Find out more about UN Women, the UN organization that delivers programs, policies and standards that uphold women's human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential. 

Ten ways to make a difference

By Martine Gayon, IIW representative to the UN in New York

Martine Gayon, IIW representative to the UN in New York, wrote on IIW FB on 26 Nov 2020, TEN ways (and it is still actionable). Let us revisit:

Ending violence against women is *everyone’s business*...

Here are just ten ways you can make a difference, safely and impactfully:

1. Listen to and believe survivors

2. Teach the next generation and learn from them: point out the stereotypes that children constantly encounter. Encourage a culture of acceptance. Talk about consent.

3. Call for responses and services fit for purpose: shelters, hotlines, counseling, and all support. 

This year the United Nations, together with its partners, are demanding four critical actions, summarized by the 2020 campaign theme: FUND, RESPOND, PREVENT, COLLECT

4. Understand consent: rather than listening for a “no”, make sure there is an active “yes” from all involved

5. Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help

6. Start a conversation: show your solidarity with survivors and where you stand in the fight for women’s rights by oranging your social media profile for the 16 Days of Activism.

7. Stand against rape culture: naming it is the first step to dismantle it

8. Fund women’s organizations: donate to local organizations that empower women, amplify their voices, support survivors, and promote acceptance of all gender identities and sexualities

9. Hold each other accountable: take a stand by calling it out when you see violence: catcalling, inappropriate sexual comments and sexist jokes are never okay

10. Know the data and demand more of it: as gender-based violence has spiked during COVID-19, the gaps in gender sensitive data collection have become more difficult than ever. Call on your governments to invest in the collection of data on gender-based violence.

The #medestander pledge by UN Women Netherlands

The UN women Netherlands developed a campaign about how to raise awarenes. All the partners promote people to sign a pledge which states:

If we all stand together we can eradicate violence against women and girls from the world.

1.   I do not use violence against women and girls

2.   I take women and girls who report violence serious and support them in finding help

3.   I do what I can to ensure that women and girls can feel safe

4.   I contribute to breaking the taboo around talking about violence against women

5.   I address people in my environment about boundary crossing behavior.

All interested people, Inner Wheel members and also others can sign this pledge by using a QR code and they will, from then on, get about twice a year an update about the campaign signed by UN women and their partners (also IW)