Caring Causes - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

November 25th Is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The significance of November 25th stems from the persistent and pervasive issue of violence against women worldwide. 

Regardless of socioeconomic background, age, or ethnicity, women across the globe face varying degrees of violence, from micro-aggressions and systemic discrimination to physical and psychological harm. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serves not just as a reminder of the struggles many women face but also as a rallying call to communities and nations to put an end to these heinous acts.

Here are five ways we can honor this day, according to author and survivor, Alle C. Hall.

1. Wear Orange: Anyone Can Do It!
   

“The UN has marked orange as the color for this critical day, symbolizing a brighter future without violence.  Encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to wear orange, too. Pass out ribbons! Suggest a shirt you know this person favors, an accessory you’ve seen them wear. Wearing orange is a simple yet powerful way to show solidarity and raise awareness,” Hall shares.

2. Talk to a Guy:
   

“While one in nine males experience domestic violence, by far the greater number of survivors are female: one in four. I just had a conversation with a man in his late 70s who–bless his heart!--was impatient with a DV survivor character in a book who, as he saw it, “didn’t get it together.” It took me a few breaths, but I was able to draw from him some empathy when I asked a few questions: do you know what flesh sounds like, getting slapped? Do you know the kinds of sounds a person makes, taking a hit? Do you know that one out of every fifteen victims of DV is a child? Do you have grandchildren? By letting him answer the questions without levying judgment, he was able to draw his own conclusions: the victim is not at fault. The victim is doing their best to become a survivor.” 

3. Raise Awareness: 
   

“Host or bring two friends to a workshop, webinar, or panel discussions that shed light on the various forms of violence against women. Clarify that domestic violence includes physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.Then, text or tweet the stories and statistics you learn about. Be someone who takes down those myths by providing clarity on the true extent of the problem.” 

4. Support Local Organizations:
   

Hall says, “Many NGOs and shelters work tirelessly to support survivors and combat violence against women. On this day, donate at least $5, or give at least one hour, or bring over a box of soap or baby powder. Even sharing the work of these organizations on social media can boost their reach and impact.”

5. Participate in Community Events: 
   

“Today, can you join a march or candlelight vigil? Can you visit an art installation that commemorates the day? With one hour of your time, you can assist in creating the structure needed for collective mourning as well as for healing, and solidarity.” 

Change does not come in isolation. It requires collective acknowledgment, effort, and action. Each individual, community, and nation has a part to play. While grassroots movements can spark local change, global collaboration can lead to universal standards and solutions.

"Eliminating violence against women isn't a women's issue. It’s a human one. Men and women batter, and women and men are abused. In standing proud and together on a day committed to eliminating domestic violence, we are moving people to a time when, as Judy Chicago once wrote, ‘All men and women will be gentle, and all women and men will be strong’.” Hall shares.

The 2023 PenCraft Awards for Literary Excellence awarded Alle C. Hall’s debut novel, “As Far As You Can Go Before You Have To Come Back,” as their Fiction - Adventure 1st Place Winner. Now available as an audiobook, Alle’s novel is a story about a survivor of abuse who discovers the path to healing after she escapes her abusive family.