It’s important to create awareness that people with disabilities deserve respect too, they deserve a place in society
Community members are becoming more willing to report cases and seek help instead of remaining silent which has contributed to reduced cases of abuse in the community
Raising awareness of women’s rights and disability rights in Nigeria with the support of our partner Centre for Women Studies and Intervention. Credit: Centre for Women Studies and Intervention
Every year from 25 November to 10 December, the world unites for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence - a UN Global Campaign that focuses on ending violence against women and girls.
During the 16 days, people across the UK and around the world are called to speak out, stand up and take action to demand a future where every girl and woman can live free from violence and fear.
Standing up against gender-based violence and promoting indigenous rights in Peru with the support of our partner CAAAP. Credit: CAAAP
We work alongside trusted local Church and community partners, many of whom are women-led, to ensure we are addressing the specific needs of women and girls in both our humanitarian and long-term development work. This includes providing safe spaces, psychological support, and protection services for survivors of violence as well as working to combat some of the harmful attitudes, norms and practices that put women at risk.
Women can experience disadvantage and oppression in different ways depending on how factors like gender, race, disability and class overlap.
Here are some examples of how we are targeting specific women and girls who are disproportionately at risk of violence due to their unique identity.
Defending female migrants’ rights in Bangladesh with the support of partner OKUP. Credit: OKUP
We are supporting Bangladeshi women migrants to recover from exploitation and build safer, more secure futures. Working with migrant-led partner Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP), we support women who have experienced abuse, exploitation and trauma abroad. We help women with emotional and mental health support, shelter, medical referrals, legal support, uniting their family and finding work. Many women are now increasing their income, improving their quality of life, and are having a greater say within their households.
We are also working with local experts to push for a change in law to help returnee migrant women secure compensation and accountability for mistreatment and abuse by raising the demands of female migrant workers at a national and global level. Last year, together we raised awareness of safe migration and human rights to over 39,000 people.
Raising awareness of women’s rights and disability rights in Nigeria with the support of our partner Centre for Women Studies and Intervention. Credit: Centre for Women Studies and Intervention
We are raising awareness of the rights of women and girls with disabilities with our partner in Nigeria - Centre for Women Studies and Intervention who are working directly with the community to combat violence and discrimination.
Traditional leaders, community members and law enforcement agencies are being trained by our partner to better understand disability rights and respond effectively and safely to cases involving women and girls with disabilities.
“It’s important to create awareness that people with disabilities deserve respect too, they deserve a place in society,” says Sister Ngozi from partner Centre for Women Studies and Intervention.
Defending women’s rights in rural Zimbabwe with the support of partner Caritas Mutare. Credit: Caritas Mutare
Rates of violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe are one of the highest in the world, particularly in rural areas where harmful practices such as child marriage are more common.
Our Church partner, Caritas Mutare, supports local women, girls and people living with disabilities in Zimbabwe. This includes strengthening awareness on women’s rights, protecting wellbeing and safety and supporting decision-making abilities of women and girls at home and within their communities. Last year, we worked with 260 gender champions including traditional leaders and religious leaders to raise awareness of gender inequality and put a stop to child abuse, child marriages and domestic violence across Zimbabwe.
“I have seen a change in the way people respond to gender-based violence. Community members are becoming more willing to report cases and seek help instead of remaining silent which has contributed to reduced cases of abuse in the community. This gives me hope that together, we can create a safer community for women and girls,” says gender champion Judith.
Promoting female leadership and defending indigenous women’s rights in Alta Verapaz Guatemala with the support of our partner Pastoral Social - Caritas, Diocesis de la Verapaz. Credit: Pastoral Social - Caritas, Diocesis de la Verapaz
In Guatemala, communities continue to face the devastating impacts of climate-related disasters like drought. For indigenous women, these emergencies bring even greater risks, including increases in violence against women and reduced access to vital services like healthcare.
We are working through our local partner, Pastoral Social Verapaz to help communities prepare for future emergencies by placing indigenous women at the centre of resilience and disaster risk reduction efforts. Our partner is supporting these women to take on leadership roles in their community by building their knowledge on how to reduce risks and engage in decision making processes.
The project also helps communities prepare for emergencies in ways that minimises risk and protects the most vulnerable. By making emergency plans safer and more inclusive, communities can put people’s dignity, safety and protection at the heart of their preparations before a crisis happens.
Our work on responding to violence against women is part of our wider commitment to gender justice. We aim for a world where the distinctive contributions of women and girls are valued, where they live free from fear and discrimination and where they have equal opportunities to thrive. Because a better world needs all of us.
