16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence- November 25 to December 10

The theme for this year’s campaign is From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women

During the 16 days of activism, churches will be encouraged to participate through prayer, special services to mark the occasion, sermons to emphasize the issue, speakers or films at adult forums, articles written in church and diocesan publications, and many other ways. A blogsite is available http://episcopal16days.wordpress.com/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog so you can share what you are doing. Also other resources can be found here including prayers and a liturgy created by the Rev Barbara Hutchinson and used last year in the Diocese of Long Island.

The most important document to read on this year’s campaign is –Report on Intersections of Violence Against Women and Militarism — The chapter headings, which will give you an idea of the issues covered in the campaign, are:

Violence Against Women, Militarism and Feminism- 0verview

Towards a Feminine Critique of Militarism- there are strategies listed for each of these

• Political violence against women

• Proliferation of small arms and their Role in Domestic Violence

• Sexual violence during and post conflict

• Sexual violence by state actors ie peace keepers

• Bringing together the women’s, peace and human rights movements

The report is found here in full http://cwgl.rutgers.edu/globalcenter/publications/vawmilitarism2011.pdf

Another more in depth resource on Militarism and VAW can be found here http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/militarism-vaw

We also recommend using the discussion guide for Women War and Peace as a resource for the 16 days campaign as the same issues are addressed in the films.

And finally, go to the 16 days website here http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/