16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence - Calendar of Events

November 25, 2012 - INTERNATIONAL END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DAY - Start of the 16 Days 

November 23

Pre-Celebration for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (USAID/Benin)

Location: Market of DANTOKPA, Cotonou

USAID/Benin's project "Combating Gender-Based Violence Against Girls in School" (with local NGO GAJES) will hold an information session on gender-based violence (GBV) in the community. It will show a film and discuss the importance of combating GBV as part of a year-long awareness-raising campaign.

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November 23

Launch of "Letters from Women" Campaign (USAID/Peru) 

Location: Peruvian Congress

Time: 10am

USAID/Peru joined the German Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and the Peruvian Congress Women Caucus to launch a campaign that seeks to document cases and mobilizes action from the government, civil society, men, and women to join efforts to eliminate violence against women, adolescents, and girls. Congresswomen from different political parties joined to send a message to stop violence against women. Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqxgtEoMku4

The event also had the participation of the President of the Peruvian Congress, the USAID/Peru Acting Mission Director, representatives from GIZ, the Ombudsman, and the health sector.

The Letter from Women (Cartas de Mujeres) campaign – www.cartasdemujeres.pe – is led by GIZ with the participation of multiple stakeholders from the public and private sector, media. and donor community. The campaign aims to collect 100,000 testimonies from Peru and propose recommendations for action. USAID will work with GIZ to promote the campaign in the five Amazonian regions where USAID concentrates its work.

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November 25

It’s Time to Rise Up and Speak Up Together (USAID/Sri Lanka & USAID/OTI)

Location: Galle Face Green, Colombo

Time: 3-7pm

“The Forum”, a consortium of organizations, is leading activities in Colombo, Sri Lanka to launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. USAID/OTI and other donors are contributing to the event.

• "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" supported by WIN for men and boys – Launches at 3pm
• Forum theater, street drama, poetry reading – 4pm to 7pm
• Speeches (speakers will most likely be cricket players and other national celebs) – TBD

USAID/OTI will bring 100 Youth Leaders from the North and 50 Youth Leaders from the South to participate in the above events. One street drama performance group from the North will also be supported through the grant to perform at the inauguration event.

The Youth Leaders will travel to the South on the evening of the 25th to begin a three-day residential workshop. The training workshop will cover gender-based violence in the community, addressing these community issues, and improving networking skills. 

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November 26

Radio Show on GBV with Female Parliamentarians (USAID/Zimbabwe)

Location: Star FM Radio Station in Zimbabwe

Time: 8pm

One of the activities under the mission-supported Parliamentary Strengthening Program is a radio show that is broadcast every Monday on a local radio station, Star FM. The local implementing partner, the Southern African Parliamentary Trust ,has invited the Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs, Hon. Jessie Majome, and the Chairperson of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus, Hon. Biata Nyamupinga, and members of civil society to discuss GBV on the show, with a close look at the Government of Zimbabwe's policies on GBV. The show will include a call-in session where members of the public can participate and provide comments and questions to the Members of Parliament on the government's policies on GBV.  

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November 28

C-TIP Campus Challenge Contest Opening and Film Screening of "Trade of Innocents"

Location: Landmark E Street Cinema @ 555 11th St NW, Washington, DC

Time: 5:30-7pm

Please RSVP at: http://challengeslavery.eventbrite.com/

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November 28

Panel Discussion: How the Media Can be Involved in the Fight Against GBV in Rwanda

Location: US Embassy Kigali

Time: 2-4pm

A gender expert from UN Women and a GBV/gender activist and media expert will give presentations designed to help journalists improve their reporting on GBV issues and then lead a panel discussion. The mission has invited about 50 journalists from all the media houses (print, electronic, radio, TV). This event was organized by State, CDC, and USAID.  

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November 28

We are Together in Preventing Domestic Violence (USAID/Bangladesh)

Location: Patiya College Ground, Patiya

Time: 11am-1pm (The cultural program will continue until 4:30pm.)

USAID/Bangladesh’s Protecting Human Rights (PHR) program and the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs’ (MoWCA) Multi-Sectoral Program on Violence against Women will co-host an event to promote coordination and joint strategies between the Government of Bangladesh and civil society on gender-based violence, and to raise awareness and sensitize different stakeholders.

The State Minister of MoWCA will be the Chief Guest and Ambassador Dan W. Mozena will be the Special Guest. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer will deliver a welcome speech, followed by speeches from local elected members, government officials, and Members of Parliament. A cultural program with messages against GBV will follow speeches delivered by the Chief Guest and other guests of honor.

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November 28

Prevent Sexual Violence Demonstration Walk (USAID/Sri Lanka & USAID/OTI)

Location: Matara, Sri Lanka

Youth Leaders will organize a demonstration walk in the town of Matara to spread the message, "It's time to talk about it. Talk early, talk often. Prevent sexual violence." The demonstration will include a decorated lorry with a sound system and a social media campaign that will include Facebook posts.

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November 29

Who Takes Care of the Caregivers? Providing Care and Safety for Staff in GBV Settings

Location: International Student House, 1825 R Street, NW, Washington, DC (Near the Red Line Metro Dupont Circle North exit)

Time: 8:30-11:30am

Presentations by: 

• Beth Vann, consultant on VAW and International Humanitarian Aid: “An Overview of the Need for Staff Care” 
• Micah Williams, Global GBV Advisor, International Medical Corps: "Integrating Staff Care Principles into GBV Programs: IMC’s Organizational Response” 
• Janet Shriberg, USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS: “Needs of Staff on the Ground” 
• Amber Gray, Restorative Resources Training and Consulting, “A Hands On Lesson” 

They take care of the survivors of gender-based violence around the world, but what can organizations do to ensure the safety and well-being of their staff? Panelists at this IGWG event will examine some of the physical and psycho-social impacts on these caregivers from the trauma of being exposed to heartbreaking stories day in and day out, from the lack of resources and overwhelming case loads. Speakers will discuss conditions that caregivers face, prevention and response strategies that are needed, and resources and trainings that some organizations have already created. In addition, there will be short presentations by members of the gender community of practice on what actions are being taken by their organizations to address this issue. 

A light breakfast will be served. Space is limited and webcasting will not be available. 

Please RSVP to laronson@prb.org

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November 30 - WORLD AIDS DAY

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November 30 - December 14

Discussion on Domestic Violence

Location: USAID-funded Centers for Civic Engagement (CCEs)

• November 30 – Marneuli CCE
• December 3 – Rustavi CCE
• December 5 – Telavi and Sagarejo CCEs
• December 6 – Gori CCE
• December 7 – Akhaltsikhe CCE
• December 12 – Zugdidi CCE
• December 13 – Batumi and Ozurgeti CCE
• December 14 – Kutaisi CCE

Discussions will be held in USAID-supported Centers for Civil Engagement (CCEs) in Georgia's regions.

• Meeting facilitator will inform the audience about the history of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign;
• Documentary film show on domestic violence;
• Presentation by a gender specialist on roots of violence, country statistics, challenges and solutions;
• Q&A and open discussion;
• Share hot line Ads for gender-based violence victims.

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December 3 - INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

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December 4 

DCHA Transitional Justice Speaker Series Launch (internal event at USAID)

Location: RRB, Room 2.9 D/E

Time: 2-3:30pm

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December 4

Seminar - Gender-Based Violence: What Can We Do? (internal event in Afghanistan)

Location: Muncy Centre, US Embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan

Time: 10-11:30am

Discussion about how different technical offices can take steps to prevent violence in their programs. Followed by a presentation of the available resources, and a discussion on best practices and ways forward.

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December 5

Discussion with Padare/Enkundleni/Men’s Forum on Gender (internal event in Zimbabwe)

Location: USAID/Zimbabwe

Time: 1:30pm

The Mission has invited Padare/Enkundleni/Men’s Forum on Gender, one of our partners, to come and speak to our staff about gender equality and gender-based violence at our monthly All Staff meeting. It will be an interactive session which is intended to raise awareness of the problems of GBV in Zimbabwe, challenge our perceptions, and increase understanding of the role that men have to play in forwarding gender equality and fighting GBV.

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December 5

Capacity-Building Workshop for School Committees (USAID/Benin)

Location: Cotonou, CPS Akpakpa

Time: 8am-5pm

USAID/Benin's project "Combating Gender Based Violence Against Girls in School" (with local NGO GAJES) will hold a workshop with representatives from school communities in Cotonou. During this workshop, the community members will form committees and learn strategies for preventing and addressing GBV against girls in school and in the larger community.

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December 5

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Aspects of Gender Violence

Location: Ronald Reagan Building, Mezzanine Conference Rooms M17-18

Time: 3-4pm

USAID invites you to join a panel discussion on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) aspects of gender violence. Ms. Cybèle Cochran (USAID) will join panelists Mr. Ariel Herrera (Freedom House), Mr. Dylan Orr (U.S. Department of Labor), and Mr. Joe Fahed (Advocates for Youth) to examine LGBT violence in the context of global development and foreign assistance, workplace and employment, and youth specific issues. Following their stories and thoughts, the panelists will respond to open questions from the audience. 

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December 8

March of Men and Women Against Domestic Violence

Location: Start at Praça da Paz- to- Praça da Independência, Maputo City, Mozambique

Time: 7am

The main aim of the march is to question the current standards of masculinity that can fuel harmful messages about male violence, particularly against women and girls.

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December 10

Breaking the Cycle: Understanding the Intersections of Violence Against Women & Children

Location: PAHO, 525 23rd St, NW, Washington, DC – Room B

Time: 9:30am-12:30pm

You will not want to miss this critical examination of the intersections between violence against women and violence against children. Distinguished panelists will present new insight into the data, the implications, and examples of programmatic interventions. The panel will feature results from new studies, including in Latin America and the Caribbean, with findings that exposure to violence in childhood—either as a victim of physical or sexual abuse or as a witness to violence against women—increases the risk of experiencing violence later in life. 

Opening remarks: 

• Dr. Mirta Roses Periago, Director of PAHO 
• Dr. Neil Boothby, U.S. Government Special Advisor and Senior Coordinator to the USAID Administrator on Children in Adversity

Panel presentations: 

• Jacquelyn Campbell of Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing: “The Relationship Between Violence Against Women and Violence Against Children: An Overview of the Evidence” 
• Alessandra Guedes of PAHO: “Intergenerational Effects of Violence Against Women and Children: Findings from Latin America” 
• Michele Moloney-Kitts of UNAIDS and Together for Girls, “From Survey Data to National Action” 
• Lori Heise of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: “What Works to Prevent Partner Violence and Child Maltreatment: Lessons for the Future” 

A light lunch will be served. 

Please RSVP to laronson@prb.org

December 10, 2012 - INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - End of the 16 Days 

December 14

Tchova Tchova Histórias de Vida (leaders and churches)

Location: Cine Africa, Cidade Maputo

Time: 9:30am-12:30pm

Worship attended by leaders of the churches participating in a tool box video history called "Tchova Tchova", presenting sermons and messages calling for no violence against women.

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