Activism in Srilanka “ To Stop violence against women”
25th Nov 2012, marked the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of violence Against women, which is also the beginning of 16 days activism against gender based violence, The centre for Women and Development Organized a series of awareness programs on violence against women to school children, covering 14 schools in the Jaffna District .
A public signature campaign under the theme “Violence against women was launched on 14th Dec 2012 at Viharamahadevi park in Colombo to create awareness on V.A.W.
“Savisthri” – a women organization organized the campaign which confirmed till 8th of march 2013 in 15 areas in 13 districts in SriLanka. Grassroots level women activists from farming, fisheries and plantation sectors actively participated in the signature campaign on V.A women and girls.
The forum against G.B violence and one billion rising organized the event at Galle face Green, where songs, dance and dramas were performed.
“ The objective of the campaign is to create public participation call to improve good governance, condemn rape, murder, V.A.W and to respect right to life and equal treatment of people living in the North and East and in camps.”
“It is sad how criminals are set free, under suspended sentences. Rapists and other sexual offenders can roam freely in the society without any sense of guilt; while the innocent victims they harmed are left to live the horrifying, nightmare during day and night filled with traumatizing Memories.” (Daily Mirror)
ONE BILLION RISING
STRIKE/DANCE/RISE
( To End Violence Against Women and Girls, is a Meaningful and Timely, Action oriented Project )
The United Nation’s data states that 1 in 3 women in the world experience violence. That is more than one billion women living on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. This is among one of the biggest civil wars going on in our homes, communities and countries.
“Women REFUSE to stand by as more than a billion women experience violence.”
“One Billion women violated is an atrocity, but a One Billion rising against such violence is a Celebration.”
The One Billion Rising Campaign was aimed to catalyze communities, collectives, groups and individuals across the spectrum to raise their voices, take actions and RISE within their residential areas, work places, schools and colleges, clubs, parks, societies to pledge to the cause.
The OBR was a global campaign:-It was an invitation to sing, dance and celebrate women’s right to be free from fear of violence, discrimination and harassment; It was a call to all people – women, men, diverse gender identities and children across all ages, cultures and sites, to refuse to live with any form of violence against them, and in particular, against women and girls in all their diversity; It was a refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given, and to work for justice, love and peace. It was an act of global solidarity.
Data from the National Crime Records Bureau shows that between 1953 and 2011, the incidence of rape rose by 873 per cent, or three times faster than all cognizable crimes put together, and three- and- a- half times faster than murder. In India, a women is raped every 22 minutes, and a bride is burnt for dowry every 58 minutes. Further, the issue is exacerbated by the adverse child. The elimination of violence against women and girls is key to the achievement of gender equality, peace and development, and should be the commitment of every citizen, state and society.
The call for One Billion Rising has been given by V Day, USA. In south Asia, SANGAT south Asia was coordinating the campaign. several groups across the region have committed themselves to reaching out widely to people, eminent citizens, youth and public at large, to ensure that effective measures are undertaken for prevention of violence, ensure redress and justice to survivors of violence and support the empowerment of women and girls. One Billion Rising was launched in south Asia with a series of events during November and December 2012, and many more events took place till the 14th of February 2013.
On V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 2.14.13, ONE BILLION women and those who love them walked, danced, sang, shouted slogans, protested, and demanded an end to this violence. ONE BILLION RISING, the largest global campaign to end violence against women moved the earth, activating women and men across every country.
On 14th February 2013, One Billion Rising Sri Lanka (OBR Sri Lanka) joined with activists around the world for One Billion Rising, the largest global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. One Billion Rising began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. On February 14,2013, One Billion Rising Sri Lanka joined activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and women and men across the world, as women expressed their outrage, demanded change, danced, and ROSE in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end at last, to violence against women.
According to One Billion Rising Sri Lanka press release, “In Sri Lanka, police statistics show that there has been a 60/ increase in sexual abuse of women and girls in 2012 with at least 700 incidents of sexual abuse of girls reported in the first half of 2012. These include gang rape and sale of young girls for sexual abuse. It has also been revealed that 90/ of women are abused when using public transport. 4000 of the 15,000 cases that are being heard in courts are regarding violence against children. A women is raped every 90 minutes in Sri Lanka”.
One Billion Rising Sri Lanka organized a demonstration at Lipton Circus on 14th February 2013, where women, men and children participated, carried hard hitting placards with slogans, shouted slogans, and paid tribute to women who have been abused, harassed, raped or killed at a candle light vigil held at the end of the event.
Citation
The short documentary is an attempt to depict the real life stories of unfortunate victims of violence, whose difficulty remains invisible to the society but this documentary as the film shows that the camera being an equipment they feel safe to experiment with it. It provides them ample opportunity to remain connected with the outside world and share their feelings with other members throughout the world digital content like this documentary can do a commendable work in this field to spread the message to a wider circle.
Purpose of this project
Worldwide most incidents of sexual violence go unreported and the majority of survivors / victims do not receive appropriate help. There may be serious and life threatening consequences for sexual violence victims who do not receive appropriate health care and other services.
Sexual violence is directly related to 3 factors.
1. Social stigma – commonly occurs in most societies.
2. Lack of awareness about potential severity of health and psychological consequences if left untreated.
3. lack of awareness about available services and lack of trust that services are confidential and respectful.
Awareness raising about sexual violence involves information, education and communication (IEC)
The objectives are:-
1. To inform victims about the potential life threatening consequences of sexual violence
2. To inform the community about the availability of sexual violence services, how to access them and that the services will help victims and their families.
3. To inform and build trust in the community that services respect and preserve the confidentiality and dignity of the victims and her family.
4. To inform the community of the need to protect and care for survivors of violence and not to discriminate against them.
5. Key messages to be disseminated.
· - Unwanted pregnancy, , reproductive health problems, infection, HIV infection.
· emotional , social consequences of S.V.
· fear, panic attacks, withdrawals, depression, feeling hopeless, social Isolation.