Key messages from 16 Days of Action 2024
From Monday 25 November to Tuesday 10 December, we took part in 16 Days of Action, an online campaign to encourage meaningful conversations, share learning, signpost to support, and raise awareness of gender-based violence in all its forms.
Although our campaign for 2024 is over, we’re committed to speaking up for women and girls at every opportunity.
See below for a complete list of key messages from this year’s campaign and join us in tackling violence against women and girls in East Ayrshire, now and into the future.
We invited more people to sign The White Ribbon pledge
As part of our 16 Days 2024 campaign we visited various locations in East Ayrshire to promote the message of White Ribbon Scotland.
Our first stop was at Kilmarnock Train Station, where we encouraged commuters to make their own White Ribbon pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about gender-based violence.
We also visited Kilmarnock Fire Station and East Ayrshire Community Hospital, spreading awareness of the charity and its message and inviting even more passers by to make their pledge.
Find out more about White Ribbon Scotland and make your own pledge at www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk.
Gender-based violence is prevalent in higher education
1 in 5 female students in higher education experiences sexual harassment, and 1 in 4 experiences sexual assault.
Additionally, over half of all students who have experienced sexual assault and/or sexual harassment have experienced it on campus.
EmilyTest is a Scottish charity which aims to tackle gender-based violence in education. Visit www.emilytest.org to find out more.
Gender inequality harms men and boys too
Violence against women and girls and gender inequality harms everyone in society, including men and boys.
Gender norms place expectations on men and boys to meet unhealthy and impossible standards of masculinity, and men face additional risks as a result.
Acknowledging the link between gender inequality and gender-based violence can help to engage men to be active allies in challenging the attitudes which contribute to the prevalence of violence and abuse.
Gender-based cybercrime is on the rise
Cybercrime accounted for an estimated 30% of sexual crimes in Scotland during 2023-2024, and more than 1 in 6 women has experienced online violence.
Women are still underrepresented in the workplace
Despite women making up 51% of Scotland’s population, they are still underrepresented in management positions in local and national government.
According to feminist policy and advocacy organisation, Engender Scotland, men are overrepresented in all of Scotland’s democratic bodies, with multiple barriers to women accessing politics (particularly women of colour, disabled women and LGBTI+ women).
Gender inequality is the root cause of violence against women and girls, and we must tackle this.
Gender-based violence significantly impacts children
Children and young people experiencing gender-based violence can face barriers to accessing recovery support.
We must take a children’s rights approach to tackling violence against women and girls, through listening to the voices of children and young people.
Minority ethnic women and girls face barriers to support
Women from minority ethnic communities can feel judged, shamed and discriminated against due to staff in mainstream services lacking an understanding of their experiences and cultural practices.
Lack of trauma-informed language, translation and interpretation services is a significant barrier for minority ethnic women and girls accessing advice and support for gender-based violence.
Women are more likely to feel unsafe in public places
Women and girls experience more barriers than men when using the places around them, and are more likely to feel unsafe due to the risk of experiencing violence and harassment.
Joined-up working is needed to respond to the needs of women and children who are affected by violence and abuse in Scotland’s communities.
Gender-based violence can cause profound trauma
Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent traumatic experiences.
A key aim of Equally Safe is to ensure the voices of women, children and young people with lived experience of gender-based violence to shape policy and practice.
A trauma-informed approach can support women and children’s recovery.
Find out more at: https://is.gd/IdI2Ob
Where to find support…
Click on the links below if you or someone you know is in need of support, information or advice.
Information, support and refuge for women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.
Offers free and confidential support to anyone, of any ethnicity, aged 13 and over who has experienced sexual violence (women, girls, boys and those who identify as transgender or non-binary).
Provides tailored, professional support for people affected by sexual trauma, aged 13 years and above, in East and North Ayrshire.
Offers free, confidential and non-judgemental practical and emotional support to women who sell sex.
