From 25 November to 10 December 2024, Inner Wheel members in 100 countries across the globe UNiTE to END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS.
We call upon everyone, women and men, to show solidarity and colour the world orange, the colour of a rising sun, symbolic of a world free from violence — a step towards a safer, more equal and prosperous world.
DAY 1. Launch of the 16-day campaign by International President Mamta Gupta on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 25 Nov 2024. #InnerWheelForZeroViolence, #HeartbeatOfHumanity, #InnerWheel, #NoExcuse, #16DaysOfActivism, #OrangeTheWorld, #EndViolence, #YouCanBePartOfTheSolution
Day 7. A special message from International Inner Wheel President Mamta Gupta.
Day 16. Closing address by International Inner Wheel Vice-President Kay Morland.
16 days of Campaign
DAY 2. Global scale of violence against women: An estimated 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older). This figure does not include sexual harassment. Women who have experienced violence are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, with long-lasting consequences. [DAY 2]DAY 3. For at least 51,100 women in 2023, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act—their murder by partners and family members. But in an act of femicide, there’s more than one victim. Rarely considered direct victims, there are children, parents, and other close relatives – hidden in plain sight.DAY 4. Violence against adolescent girls: are more at risk of intimate-partner violence than adult women. By the time they are 19 years old, almost 1 in 4 adolescent girls (24%) who have been in a relationship have already been physically, sexually, or psychologically abused by a partner. DAY 5. While physical violence is the most recognised form, intimate partner violence also includes other types of violence that are less visible and acknowledged in society, such as psychological or economic violence. Intimate partner violence is not a single act. It is a course of conduct, which means that these forms of violence are often overlapping and long lasting. It is important to recognise that digital and technological advancements are increasingly facilitating the perpetration of violence.DAY 6. Less than 40 per cent of the women who experience violence seek help of any sort. In the majority of countries with available data on this issue, women who do seek help look to family and friends and very few seek support from formal institutions, such as police and health services. Less than 10 per cent of those seeking help appealed to the police.DAY 7. Do not be judgmental or make them feel bad for staying in an abusive relationship. The perpetrator is the sole reason for assault and must bear the responsibility alone. Call out victim-blaming and counter the idea that it is on women to avoid situations that might be seen as “dangerous” by traditional standards. Provide a listening ear, understand what victim needs, be supportive, stand by her.DAY 8. Ending violence against women is everyone’s business. When a woman shares her story of violence, she takes the first step to breaking the cycle of abuse. It is on all of us to give her the safe space she needs to speak up and be heard.DAY 9. Violence can take many forms, including sexual harassment in the workplace and in public spaces. Take a stand by calling it out when you see it: catcalling, inappropriate sexual comments, and sexist jokes are never okay. The increasing reach of the internet, the rapid spread of mobile information, and the widespread use of social media, has led to the emergence of cyber violence against women and girls (VAWG) as a growing global problem with potentially significant economic and societal consequences.DAY 10. Men can be positive role models, act as agents of change and use their influence among peers. This involves supporting men and boys to develop healthy ideas about what it means to ‘be a man’ – and positive relationships with other both men and women, that are not built on showing aggression, dominance or control. They can speak out against harmful practices and challenge sexism.DAY 11. Childhood trauma can lead to low self-esteem, loss of identity, and attachment challenges. A child who has been exposed to violence may imitate such behaviour and eventually become violent. It is believed that intergenerational transmission of trauma can be passed down through genetic changes to a person’s DNA after they experience trauma and potentially influence the health of future generations far removed from trauma event.
Day 12, 6 Dec 2024. Video message from Ceja Gregor Hu, IIW Representative in the United Nations (Vienna). Please share and subscribe to the Youtube channel.DAY 13. We want to raise girls who feel confident in their skin, comfortable using their voice, and know their self-worth. Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is vital to building fair, inclusive, prosperous and peaceful societies everywhere. The best way to empower women is to encourage them to step into their power, take leadership roles and express themselves authentically.DAY 14. Deeply rooted in gender inequality, violence against women is one of the most pervasive human rights violations in the world. Without adequate support, they see their rights and needs neglected, often experiencing long and potentially traumatic experiences through the justice system. Offer victims support and resources and let them know you will be there for them no matter what choice they make.DAY 15. 9 Dec 2024. Gender inequality and norms on the acceptability of violence against women are a root cause of violence against women which continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies. Gender equality education lays the foundations of a society free from violence. We need men and women working side by side to dismantle the barriers to gender equality. We can change the harmful beliefs at the core of this problem. What was learned can be unlearned. It is time for us all, women, men, girls, boys and key public actors to end violence against women and girls.
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The Margarette Golding Award
This special honour by International Inner Wheel is given to a person in recognition of highly commendable personal service in a community, involving a great deal of commitment regularly over a long term or great personal sacrifices for the benefit of others. The high standard set for the award makes it highly regarded. Please fill in this MGA form to nominate a candidate of your choice, and submit through an Inner Wheel Club, District or National Governing Body.
Linda Clayton receives Margarette Golding Award
Linda Clayton began supporting the local Women’s Aid nearly 20 years ago, initially as part of the Board of Trustees, and has been helping by giving her support ever since. Read more.
The Margarette Golding Rose
The Rose has been developed to mark the centenary of Inner Wheel. Its development was initiated by Past Association Presidents Zena Coles and Thelma Pacsoo, bred by Philip Harkness of Harkness Roses, and launched at the Chelsea Flower Show on 25 May 2023. Read more about the launch.
IIW holds consultative status in the United Nations
Member Clubs provide information on their projects which support the UN commissions, particularly on UN’s Sustainable Development Goals concerning Human Rights, Rights of the Children, Conditions of Women, the Family and the Elderly, and Substance Abuse, focusing on Health, Education, Empowerment and Opportunity. Six Inner Wheel representatives in the UN follow and assist the work sessions of these commissions. This is the advocacy, the work and recognition of International Inner Wheel since 1972. We share this compelling United Nations video.
