Based on our firm belief in the inherent dignity of all of creation, VIVAT International is committed to the full empowerment and development of both women and men. Women are a strong force and their contribution for building a healthy society is immense. It is an essential human right that the fundamental dignity and equality of all women must be ensured. Alongside their inclusion and participation in the decision making must be enhanced in social, political, economic, religious and other structures and systems.
VIVAT International’s work is centered on the international level to eliminate violence against women, one of the most pervasive and brutal forms of discrimination that women experience.
Through the Commission on the Status of Women and other forums, VIVAT International supports the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action. Sustainable Development Goal 5 known as the stand-alone gender goal, calls for gender equality and empowerment of women.
VIVAT considers the glaring discrimination and violence against women and girls
- 62 million girls are denied an education all over the world. (UN Foundation)
- Girls between 5 and 14 years old spend 40 per cent more time, or 160 million more hours a day, on unpaid household chores and collecting water and firewood compared to boys their age (UNICEF)
- Vast majority of all human trafficking victims – some 71 per cent – are women and girls and one third are children (UNODC)
- The fight against extreme poverty, hunger and malnutrition is not possible without gender equality and women empowerment (José Graziano da Silva, the Director-General of FAO)
- 4.5 million of the estimated 21 million in forced labour are victims of sexual exploitation; 98% of them are women and girls. (UN women)
- Female genital mutilation (FGM) affects more than 125 million girls and women alive today. (WHO)
- 143 countries out of 195 countries guarantee equality between women and men in the constitution as of 2014. Yet discrimination persists in many areas. (UN women database 2014)
- More than 43 million people around the world are forcibly displaced as a result of conflict and persecution. Half of all refugees are women. (UN Women)
Resources
- Sustainable Development Goal 5: gender Equality
- UN Women
Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, UN Women, among other issues, works for the: elimination of discrimination against women and girls; empowerment of women; and achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. - Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly
- Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
- Human Rights Watch – Women’s Rights
Human Rights Watch works to fight the dehumanization and marginalization of women. Resources include country studies and specific campaign focus pages. - The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)
How can I help?
- A mindset with positive attitude towards equality: Challenge prejudice and discriminatory attitudes toward women. Support the women around you to develop their full potential;
- Take interest in: Community mobilization at the grassroots for women and girls education programmes, empowering women for leadership positions,
- Address the issues of all forms of violence against women: Strengthen and work with the support system using the national laws such as local police authorities, courts and government: Build collaboration and adequately train staff to include a gender perspective and respond to domestic violence.
- Create a “violence-free space” in the community
- Monitor how your community, government, police, security forces and courts respond to violence against women and girls;
- Organize community events: Celebrate the International Day for the Eradication of Violence against Women on 25 November and the International Women’s Day on 8 March.
- Use the media as an agent for education and social change:
- Compilation and Distribution of information of the support services for women;
- Provide information also on men’s roles in achieving gender equality.
- Campaigns and public events that commemorate the women who have lost their lives to violence
- Learn more about CEDAW and working with the Governments for its implementations
- Participate in the annual Commission on the Status of Women
- Participate the “16 Days of Activism to Stop Gender Violence“. Between 25 November and 10 December, join the 16-day international campaign to stop gender violence.