24.10.2017
Mothers’ Union Vigil to Highlight Gender Based Violence
Mothers’ Union is organising an All Ireland Prayer Vigil on Saturday November 25 as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence initiative. All are invited to join Mothers’ Union in the Church of St John the Baptist, Seafield Road, Clontarf, at 11 am on November 25 to call for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls.
Mothers’ Union engages each year with the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender–Based Violence, which runs from November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and December 10 (International Human Rights Day) and hold the prayer vigil annually on November 25 or a near as possible to that date. The idea of the vigil is to create awareness of gender violence in the form of both physical and emotional abuse against both men and women.
This year, Mothers’ Union worldwide is focussing on the issue of stigma, where society responds negatively to, or by blaming those who are, victims of gender–based violence. Mothers’ Union is calling on members and others around the world to talk about gender–based violence, and challenge myths and harmful attitudes around it. They are calling on people everywhere to: break the silence surrounding gender–based violence, lift the shame which is often placed unfairly on survivors, and shift the blame from victim to perpetrator.
This year’s speakers in Dublin include: Dean Philip Knowles; Nadine O’Brien, an outreach worker from Aoibhneas Women & Children’s Refuge in Coolock; and Emeline Le Prince, a service worker from Sonas Services.
Gender–based violence is most often directed at women and girls, although men and boys can also be affected by the forms of violence. It affects all cultures and societies, and can be carried out by: partners; family members; members of the community; strangers; armed groups; the state; and others.
Globally, around one in three women will be affected by gender–based violence at some point in their lifetime.
For more information see www.dublin.mothersunion.ie or their Facebook page @ Mothers’ Union Dublin & Glendalough. Refreshments will be served after the vigil.