Say NO to Violence against Women
UNIFEM and Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman Launch Internet-based Advocacy Effort
Challenge Grant to End Violence against Women
WHAT: Say NO to Violence against Women is a global internet based advocacy effort on ending violence against women. Organized by UNIFEM, the initiative is designed to demonstrate that there is an ever-growing movement of people who raise their voices and demand that ending violence against women be a top priority. Participants add their names to an internet “virtual” book as an expression of public support and call for action.
Challenge: The United Nations Foundation announced on 23 January that it will donate $1 for each of the first 100,000 signatures to UNIFEM’s online campaign. The contributions will go to the UNIFEM-managed UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Go to www.saynotoviolence.org. Sign your name and raise $1 to end violence against women. Send to all your friends. Click and be counted. Let’s show the world that there is an ever-growing movement of people who say “NO” to violence against women.
WHO: UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman is the campaign's spokesperson
“I am committed to amplify the voices of the women and girls who have been subjected to violence and abuse. That’s why I was the first to sign up my name for this important campaign. Please add your name to mine and say ‘no’ to violence against women. Let survivors of violence know that they are not alone, that they can count on us.” —UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman
WHY: One in three women and girls may be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in their lifetime. Since funds are essential to change laws and policies, increase access to justice for survivors, address the links between violence against women and HIV/AIDS, and provide services, this Challenge can make a big difference to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which gives grants to innovative efforts in the developing world that are helping end violence against women.
WHEN: Launched on 26 November 2007 to align with the International Day for the Eliminationof Violence against Women and the ensuing global 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign, www.saynotoviolence.org will continue until 25 November 2008.
