What is the campaign?
The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence is an annual global campaign beginning on November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It runs until December 10th – Human Rights Day.
Jimmy Paul, Head of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, discusses how vital it is for everyone to play a role in tackling gender-based violence.
The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit was founded in the belief that violence is preventable, not inevitable. It is the motivation that weaves through every thread of our work at the unit. It’s an ambitious vision, we have always known that, but it is achievable if we all work together across society.
If you start from the point of view that violence is preventable then a future free from violence is possible. But let me be clear: we won’t address violence in communities if we don’t tackle violence against women and girls. This is why the SVRU is backing the 16 days of activism and amplifying the work of organisations who are delivering on this mission throughout Scotland.
It is important to recognise that this human rights violation is not just 16 days of action for those working to tackle violence against women and girls. It is every day, all-year round, every year. And there is still so much work to be done. However, while there are many organisations dedicated to eradicating violence against women and girls, it is not an issue solely for them. It needs to be a focus for us all.
Globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life (30% of women aged 15 and older). This figure does not include sexual harassment. (Facts and figures: Ending violence against women | UN Women – Headquarters)
The cause may be complex and there is no single solution. However, through collaboration, creativity, curiosity and an unwavering commitment we can create the thousand simple solutions to address gender-based violence.
Violence against women and girls can and must be prevented.
In Scotland, we have the Scottish Government’s national Equally Safe strategy which aims to create a country where all individuals are equally safe and respected, where women and girls live free from abuse and attitudes that help perpetuate it.
In this blog, I want to look at one key priority area in the strategy – making sure interventions are early. This is an area the SVRU prioritises in our public health approach to improving the health and safety of everyone by addressing the underlying risk factors that increase the chance someone will become either a victim or perpetrator of violence. Addressing and eliminating violence against women and girls is not just reacting to violence when it happens; it needs innovative, upstream solutions.
Primary prevention of violence involves supporting young people and their families at the earliest opportunities. Much of our work in the last year has focused on interventions working with young people at risk of violence. Throughout this, we know how crucial the early years are for positive outcomes for young people and this year we have supported the roll out of a programme called Think Equal. Based in nurseries, Think Equal uses narrative picture books, supporting session plans, and accompanying resources to provide children from aged three with the tools to think about empathy, gender and racial equality, peaceful conflict resolution and emotion regulation. This is work starting with our youngest citizens, enabling and empowering them to know what healthy relationships look like. It is also an important measure to ensure that boys and men are part of the solution, as they necessarily need to be.
For me, it reinforces what I’ve said about how we won’t tackle violence if we don’t solve violence against women and girls. This underpins all areas of violence reduction work.
Over the next 16 days, this global campaign presents an opportunity for us all to think about what more can be done to make Scotland a safer place for all.
I will listen to and support those working directly with survivors; those striving to amplify the voices of women and girls; those at the heart of supporting communities and those empowering and educating young people.
Links to support
Home – Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
Find your nearest WA group | Scottish Women’s Aid
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/abuse-safety
