Locals stand up to violence against women

Earlier this month, Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid workers, Lisburn PSNI, Health Professionals, and other local statutory and voluntary organisations joined together at Lisburn Health Centre, as part of the 16 days of Action campaign.

In order to include the local people, passers-by were encouraged to signed a banner declaring their support for the campaign.

The 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign that started in 1991. Since then, over 5,179 groups in 187 countries have taken part.

The 16 Days of Action run annually from 25th November, (UN International Day of Elimination of Violence against Women), to 10th December, (Human Rights Day). The campaign spans these days to highlight the link between violence against women and children and human rights.

Today, women and girls are subjected to many forms of human rights violations solely on the basis of their gender. The 16 Days period includes other significant dates like International Human Rights Defenders Day (29th November), World Aids Day (1st December) and the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre (6th December), which occurred on December 6, 1989, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Since 1996, Women’s Aid has used the 16 Days of Action Campaign Against Women and Girls to raise awareness of domestic violence and to promote positive change to increase women’s and children’s safety.

Women’s support services, groups under the Local Community and Development Programme, Family Resource Centres and student groups are among the agencies promoting awareness raising events throughout the country during the 16 Days.

The 16 Days Campaign grows every year with more people getting involved and speaking out about violence against women.