• Gender-Based Violence

    Gender-Based Violence

    Feature: Gender-Based Violence

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  • Rachel Lloyd
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    Rachel Lloyd

    Rachel Lloyd on gender-based violence

  • Desmond Tutu
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    Desmond Tutu

    Desmond Tutu on the need to change harmful traditional practices.

Gender-Based Violence

The gravest threat to a woman’s life is violence inflicted upon her simply because she is a woman.

Women between the ages of 15 and 45 are more likely to be maimed or die from male violence than from cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined. Often times, violent acts such as rape, female genital cutting, or extreme physical abuse are used to intimidate, humiliate and discredit women, denying them political weight in society and forcing them into silent, second-class citizenship. Beyond personal injury, gender-based violence also results in unwanted pregnancies, severe psychological trauma and an increase in maternal mortality.

Half the Sky Movement is helping reverse this devastating trend by shining a light on these horrific acts of violence and inspiring victims to champion gender equality and safety.



Take Action

• Stay Informed
Gender-based violence happens in every country, both publically and privately. Read about the 1is2Many campaign supported by President Obama and Vice President Biden, which raises awareness about dating violence and sexual assault on young American women. Learn about the recently introduced International Violence Against Women Act, aiming to end global violence against women and girls. 

• Speak Out
Raise awareness in your own community by putting up these violence prevention posters created by the World Health Organization. Sign the International Rescue Committee’s pledge to spread the word about the challenges women and girls face in crisis zones around the world and support the simple solutions that help them survive and thrive. Share our video with family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. If you want to start your own campaign, read this manual for tips on how to effectively influence public policy.

• Save a Life
Help supply safety and wellness kits to gender-based violence victims for $80. Bring abusers to justice by supporting investigations and bills. Support women empowerment and education to these issues to communities. Send a girl to school for one year for $52.

• Learn More



Wimana, 40, reveals a gunshot wound to her back in Goma, North Kivu province, Congo (Photo by Lynsey Addario/ VII)


Donate to Organizations Making a Difference



IRC
The International Rescue Committee responds to the worst humanitarian crises and helps survivors rebuild their lives. In over 40 countries and 22 US cities, the IRC restores hope and safety to millions. The IRC has counseled and cared for hundreds of thousands of survivors of sexual violence and educated millions to lead prevention efforts in their communities. For every $1 spent by the IRC, 93 cents goes directly into humanitarian aid programs.
Donate        




Tostan
Working in remote regions of West and East Africa, Tostan helps to facilitate positive community-led social change through non-formal education programs. Inspired by their successful results, the Senegalese government has incorporated Tostan’s model in its Action Plan for FGC abandonment. In a sustainable, inclusive, and respectful fashion, Tostan has been working to end gender-based violence since 1991, and believes Senegal can be FGC-free in the next few years.
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Futures Without Violence
For more than 30 years, Futures Without Violence has been developing policies, programs and public action campaigns to prevent and end violence against women and children around the world. They helped shape the landmark Violence Against Women Act in the US (1994), launched the first ever public education campaign on domestic violence, and have changed the practices in police departments, courtrooms, emergency rooms and classrooms throughout the country. 

Donate