International Women’s Day: end violence against women

via: NSW Teachers Federation

Each year International Women’s Day focuses on a key issue for women. The theme for International Women’s Day this year is ending violence against women.

The United Nations estimates that up to 70 percent of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime. The World Health Organisation claims that acts of violence perpetrated against women aged between 15 and 44 causes more deaths and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined.

In recent months there have been a few cases of violence against women which have attracted mainstream media coverage and with that, the attention of the Australian public. The rape and murder of Jill Meagher, the shooting of Pakistani school girl Malala Yousafzai and the gang rape of a young Indian doctor Jyoti Singh are examples. The sad thing is that for each of these women who came to the attention of the mainstream media there are millions more who did not.

Imagine what the world might look like if women could live free from the fear of being a victim of physical or sexual violence, survive childhood and grow into women, not be victims of honour or dowry killings, not have their genitals mutilated, not be forced into early marriage or simply murdered for being a woman. Gender-based violence must be eradicated, so we might achieve true equity for women and girls.

For more information about violence against women you can visit these sites:

NSW government domestic violence information

United nations Committee Australia – Ending Violence Against Women

Say No – Unite to end violence against women

The 50 million missing campaign: fighting female gendercide in India

Documentary film: It’s A Girl

Sydney International Women’s Day March

The traditional International Women’s Day march will be held on Saturday 9 March. Tara Moss will be one of the guest speakers.

The march starts at Sydney Town Hall. Meet at the Town hall steps at 12 noon.

International Women’s Day Picnic – Parramatta

Sunday 10th March 11:30am—2pm

Venue: Rumsey Rose Garden, Parramatta Park – Corner Macquarie St and Pitt St, Parramatta

via International Women’s Day: end violence against women | NSW Teachers Federation.