The 25th November marks the international day for ending violence against women and girls (VAWG). The day is observed annually and begins a 16-day period to raise awareness of the global scourge of violence against women and girls. We are encouraged to take part in events, social media campaigns and educational activities that advocate for ending VAWG. This is an increasingly important issue, recognised by the WHO as a pandemic and now in the UK as a national emergency.[1]
Globally, a third of women have been subjected to physical or sexual abuse.[2] Women and girls are particularly vulnerable in times of war and conflict; sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. An estimated 8 million women and girls in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian aid[3]. In Gaza, disproportionate numbers of women have been killed, while pregnant women face malnourishment and lack of access to essential healthcare [4] [5] Escalating restrictions on women living under the Taliban in Afghanistan include forbidding speaking in public to other women, singing, travel, study or work[6]. Ending VAWG involves challenging deeply rooted cultural attitudes. In the words of Gisele Pelicot, speaking recently in court in France about the horrific violations orchestrated by her husband; “shame must change sides.” This is a challenge which lies deeply at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching.
Pope Francis has spoken about VAWG on many occasions, issuing a call to all Catholics to use our power to bring about this cultural change.
“It is our duty, the responsibility of each person, to give a voice to our voiceless sisters…It is necessary to act immediately, at all levels with determination, urgency and courage.”[7]
As Catholics, we are preparing for the Jubilee year as pilgrims of Hope. Let us enter these 16 days with that Hope, so that we can indeed act with determination, urgency and create a world that is safe for all women and girls.
The theme of the 16-day period this year is “Towards Bejing +30” as we approach the 30th anniversary of the Bejing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global policy framework for gender equality and women’s rights, adopted in 1995 at the 4th UN World Conference on Women. As Catholics, we can begin to answer the Holy Father’s call to action by taking part in the 16 days of action, with the help of this calendar. Please share it with your parish, along with the accompanying resources, and encourage them to participate in initiatives which will help support victims and survivors and bring us closer to a world where women and girls can live in safety.
You can download a copy of this statement at :
We have prepared some resources which we encourgae you to share with your parishes and networks, including our call to action for the upcoming 16 Days of Activism, all of which can be downloaded below:
We have also published a resource on domestic abuse as part of our Do Justice campaign, which you can view and download from the Do Justice website, or below:
If you feel unsafe at home or are worried about someone else, contact:
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Life Fear Free Helpline (Wales): 0808 8010 800
Rape Crisis: 0808 5000 2222
Gallop: 0800 999 5428
If you are concerned that you may be harming the people you love, contact Respect Phoneline: 0808 8010 327
You can find more ideas and information about how to help below:
UN Women: https://www.unwomenuk.org/16-days-activism/
Safe in Faith: www.caritaswestminster.org.uk/safe-in-faith
[1] https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/vawg-is-a-national-emergency-say-police-chiefs/
[2] https://data.unwomen.org/global-database-on-violence-against-women
[3] https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/press-release/2024/02
[4] https://www.unicef.org/sop/stories/challenges-being-woman-today-gaza
[5] https://www.bmj.com/content/384/bmj.q625
[6] https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-bans-women-voices-education-b2641453.html
[7] Pope Francis 27th October 2023
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