Orange the World: END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN NOW! 16 Days of Activism

Dear Ecumenical Partners,

Greetings from the NCCI Women’s Concerns!

One of the annual observances of the NCCI Women’s Concerns is in joining the ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence’ from the 25th of November (International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women) to the 10th of December (International Human Rights Day). This period also includes observance of some other important days like – November 29 (International Women Human Rights Defenders Day), December 1 (World AIDS Day) and December 6 (Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre).

The 16 Days Campaign is an organizing strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence against women and to:

Raise awareness about gender-based violence against women as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional, and international levels
Strengthen local work around gender-based violence against women
Establish a clear link between local and international work to end gender-based violence against women
Provide a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies
Demonstrate the solidarity of women around the world organizing against gender-based violence against women
Create tools to pressure governments to implement commitments to eliminate gender-based violence against women

The theme for this year is “Stand against Violence”. Let me encourage you to take this opportunity to talk about the adversities that are done under the banner of Rape. Rape is not just physical it’s mental and emotional. “It’s an act of violence to say I Can do whatever I want with you and your body”. Female Foeticide is a murder committed by us when we do not want to have baby girls in our family. In today’s time, we don’t want to acknowledge it in our homes/churches/society. But it exists. Let’s

create a safe space for our daughters, sisters, and us as well to enjoy a life that God has given to us without fear and stigma.

“Recent women-led movements such as #NiUnaMenos and #MeToo have indeed helped break the long silence surrounding sexual harassment in the world of work on a global scale and forced a conversation about the need to fundamentally transform the power structures and discriminatory norms that enable gender-based violence and discrimination.

As National Council of Churches in India, it is our responsibility to encourage each other – member churches/ councils/ organizations and agencies to join in the observation of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and work on a just inclusive environment for the wholesome growth of all. It is time again this year to unite and create awareness for ending violence against women in our country/churches/ homes

The material for observance of these days as a means to equip yourselves how and what can be done is attached as attachment. The material can be contextualized as required. For any clarification and assistance please feel free to email me at jyoti@ncci1914.com. You may like to share with us how this campaign was meaningful for you and your people. Pictures and testimonials can also be sent for sharing with others and for mutual encouragement.

Please share this information to all relevant person / people in your organization/ agency so that they can get this done and be connected with us.

Download here: Concept note, 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

Thanking you Yours sincerely

Rev Jyoti S Singh Pillai
Executive Secretary
Women Concern, NCCI