16
Days Campaign of Activism Against Violence
"Stop Violence: Promote Women's Health"
The Office for the Promotion of Equality (OPE), with the support
of UNFPA, will be launching the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence
Campaign on the 25 November in Ainaro District. The national theme
for the campaign is: "Promote Women's Health: Stop violence".
The Campaign links issues concerning violence against women and
human rights, and emphasizes that all forms of violence, whether
perpetrated in the public or private sphere, are a violation of
human rights. The dates chosen for the campaign symbolically indicate
this link: November 25 marks International Day Against Violence
Against Women and December 10 is International Human Rights Day.
The sixteen-day period also highlights other significant dates,
including December 1 (World Aids Day) and December 6 (the anniversary
of the Montreal Massacre).
The 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign that started
in 1991, and activities are being organized around the world to
mark the event.
This year to celebrate the campaign, the Office for Promotion of
Equality, with support from UNFPA, have for the first time ever
coordinated the organization of events in all 13 districts of Timor
Leste. UN agencies have generously provided funding support for
some of these activities at local level, including workshops, seminars
and training events on issues such as 'Gender Based Violence', HIV/AIDS;
Domestic Violence and Gender Equality. At national level there will
be film nights, dramas, radio programs and workshops on similar
issues and a march against violence to mark the event.
The launch of the campaign in Ainaro on the 25th of November will
involve a presentation on women's health by Dr. Jose Antonio, the
launch of a book on women's personal experiences of violence and
a drama on gender based violence by theatre group Bibi Bulak.
The Campaign will also be closed with a similar event in Manatuto
district on the 11th December.
A calendar of events is attached outlining the events taking place
across the country. The general public are encouraged to attend
all events.