16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

Published 28th November 2008, 2:48pm

The 16 days between 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and 10 December, International Human Rights Day marks a crucial time in the global drive to end violence against women. These dates were originally chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence are observed annually in several countries across the globe.

The HRC affirms that violence against women undermines the enjoyment of many of the most basic human rights, such as the rights to life, liberty and security and equality, along with freedom from torture or other inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments. As the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women states, "violence against women is an obstacle to the achievement of equality, development and peace."

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon stated in February 2008, to the Commission on the Status of Women: "Violence against women is an issue that cannot wait. A brief look at the statistics makes it clear. At lest one out of every three women is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime.... No country, no culture, no women young or old is immune to this scourge. Far too often, the crimes go unpunished, the perpetrators walk free.... It is a campaign for the women and girls who have the right to live free of violence, today and in the future. It is a campaign to stop the untold cost that violence against women inflicts on humankind."

During the recent launch of the 16 Days Campaign against Gender Violence on 25 November 2008, Mr Len Layman, Chairperson for the Special Advisory Committee on Gender Violence handed its special report to Minister of Health and Human Service, Hon. Anthony Eden. This report contains specific and targeted recommendations to the Cayman Islands Government in order to develop a comprehensive multi-facetted response to gender violence. The HRC urges the Government that every effort be made to address gender violence in the Cayman Islands.

The HRC applauds the organizing committee consisting of the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Women's Resource Centre and the Department of Children and Family Services for arranging this years' campaign. The theme of Gender Abuse: Zero Tolerance from Childhood to Adulthood places this scourge at the centre of our society, indicating that gender violence will not be tolerated at any level. The HRC pledges its support for the work of these, and other organizations, for tirelessly working towards the eradication of gender violence in the Cayman Islands.

Though the campaign focuses on 16 days during the end of each year, the HRC encourages all to make it 365 days of activism against gender violence. For more information on the 16 Days Campaign in the Cayman Islands, contact the Women's Resource Centre on (345) 949-0006.

For further information contact: Human Rights Committee