No excuse for violence against women and girls – the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Campaign

GBV refers to harmful acts directed at people based on their gender and is a serious violation of human rights. 

 

This form of violence disproportionately affects women and girls, though it can impact people of all genders. 

 

GBV includes physical, sexual, psychological, and economic harm, often rooted in unequal power dynamics, societal norms, and systemic inequalities. 

 

Examples include domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, forced marriage, and harassment. 

 

Not only inflicting trauma on survivors, GBV also has broader social impacts, prolonging cycles of poverty, instability, and discrimination. 

 

Addressing and preventing GBV is essential to ensuring a safe and equitable society for everyone. 

 

In Leicester, as in many parts of the UK, gender-based violence remains a significant issue. 

 

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Partnership has devised a ‘Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy 2024-26’. Within it, they produced the following local statistics. 

 

Throughout 2022/23, 42,1801 violent crimes were recorded by the police in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. There were 38,726 individual female victims. During the same period, 1,589 rape offences were recorded as well as 2,697 other sexual offences, 15,145 stalking and harassment offences. Females were disproportionately affected, making up 84.7%, 75.2% and 64.9% of these crime types respectively. 

 

There were 204 honour-based abuse crimes recorded by the police with 65.1% involving a female victim. And, 1.4% of female victims were under 16 years old. The NHS report that 80% of their patients who were identified as being a victim of FGM were aged under 10 when the FGM was carried out. 

 

Leicester’s diverse community adds layers of complexity, as cultural sensitivities and language barriers can sometimes prevent survivors from seeking help. 

 

Organisations like ours, The Zinthiya Trust, are working to bridge these gaps, providing vital resources, safe spaces, and advocacy for those affected by gender-based violence. 

 

Through local outreach, education, and support, Leicester’s communities and support networks are actively striving to reduce the prevalence of GBV and support survivors on their path to healing and empowerment. 

 

At The Zinthiya Trust, we’re proud to join the 16 Days of Activism with our own campaign. We’ll use the power of storytelling to shed light on the realities of domestic violence and gender-based abuse. 

 

Throughout these 16 days, we will be posting daily on our social media, highlighting a films and TV shows that tell the stories of those affected by domestic violence and abuse against women and girls. 

 

Each day, we’ll introduce a thought-provoking film or show that offers a different perspective or approach to understanding this pressing issue. By sharing these resources, we hope to foster greater empathy, inspire conversation, and ultimately empower individuals to advocate for change. 

 

Films and TV shows play a powerful role in shaping perceptions, educating audiences, and driving awareness around social issues. 

 

In showcasing those that address domestic violence, we aim to provide both a source of understanding and a call to action. 

 

From feature films that dive into the personal journeys of survivors, to podcasts that explore the impact of abuse on communities, each selection in our 16-day series emphasises the resilience of those affected and the urgent need for change. 

 

We invite everyone to follow along with our posts, engage with these stories, and share them with your network. 

 

Your support amplifies our voice and helps to bring greater visibility to the fight against domestic violence. Join us on this journey as we honour the courage of survivors and commit ourselves to building a world where every woman and girl can live free from fear and violence. 

 

We will unite, educate, and advocate for a future without gender-based violence. 

 

Follow us on social media and on our website to participate in the campaign and discover the stories that need to be told.