This campaign has now closed

WOMANKIND Worldwide is working to end the global threat of violence against women. While many men abhor violence against any woman, many others routinely use women as punch-bags, sexual goods there for the taking, and as living, breathing tokens of family honour. Violence against women denies women their most basic human rights, such as the right to health, and undermines the development of communities and whole countries. WOMANKIND Worldwide provides practical ways of enabling women to escape violence, speak out about it, and change the attitudes that allow it to happen. Our Fund will help reduce violence against women by: • providing direct support to women and girls affected by violence • supporting education and awareness-raising activities • informing and influencing relevant laws, policies and practices

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Categories

  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Human Rights/Advocacy Human Rights/​Advocacy
  • Poverty Alleviation/Relief Poverty Alleviation/​Relief
  • Beneficiaries

    • Women & Girls Women & Girls

    Situation

    Violence against women is a global reality. Some women experience domestic violence in the family. Others face sexual harassment in the workplace. In some countries, women are subjected to harmful traditional practices which can cause permanent physical damage or leave them severely traumatised, or may be forced to marry at an early age, increasing their vulnerability to abuse. In times of conflict, it is women who are most likely to be the target of sexual violence, especially rape. WOMANKIND believes that violence against women is an abuse of their fundamental human rights. Violence also prevents women from participating fully in society. It limits women’s access to resources (such as land, water and food) and their ability to participate in activities such as work, education, travel and community meetings. And because violence against women carries economic costs for both the individual and society, it constitutes a major obstacle to development, peace and security. Through our partners in 9 countries, WOMANKIND supports the development of local strategies and responses to violence against women that include counselling and support services for survivors of violence. For example, in Afghanistan where it is difficult for women to leave their houses, our women only centres provide a vital safe place for women to learn about their rights, get information and support. In Ethiopia, we support girls and woman who want to make a stand against female genital mutilation and encourage girls to see they have a choice. We encourage women and men to work together and to involve the wider community in order to bring about lasting change in attitudes and behaviours. We also bring partners together to share information on what works and what doesn’t. And we help use this information to plan future support for women and to shape the views of decision-makers. WOMANKIND also lobbies for improvements in law, policies and practices to tackle violence against women and raises awareness of the issue, both in the UK and at the international level – for example on November 25th International Day Against Violence Against Women. Our Fund will help us carry on this vital work and reach out to support more women affected by violence. Some of our current priorities include: • In Ghana, WOMANKIND supports communities in developing local solutions to the problem of domestic violence. Our partners are also part of a wider coalition that was successful in getting a law passed prohibiting violence against women. • In Peru, WOMANKIND supports organisations providing a range of services to women survivors of domestic violence, including legal advice and representation, counselling and a helpline. They also conduct research and advocacy work aimed at changing public attitudes towards violence against women. • In the UK, we have developed an educational programme to reduce violence against women in the next generation. Special materials can be used by teachers to encourage teenagers to identify and change behaviour and attitudes that can lead to violence against girls and women.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Human Rights/Advocacy Human Rights/​Advocacy
  • Poverty Alleviation/Relief Poverty Alleviation/​Relief
  • Beneficiaries

    • Women & Girls Women & Girls