Bloggers Unite for Human Rights

A life free from violence is a basic human right. Who would argue with that? But violence against women and girls is still an everyday occurrence around the world - and I'm not just talking about those countries where women are oppressed in every aspect of their lives. It happens here too. Well, you knew that didn't you? But maybe you preferred not to think about it?

So, today, when bloggers everywhere are posting about human rights, I'd ask you just to pause for a few minutes and ask yourself if there is anything that you can do to halt this march of violence. Maybe you could start by visiting Amnesty International and seeing what this admirable organisation is doing. If you live in England or Wales, take a look at the work of Women's Aid - on your doorstep.

According to Women's Aid, at least one in four women in the UK experience domestic violence in their lifetime and between one in eight and one in 10 women experience it annually. Less than half of all incidents are reported to the police, but they still receive one domestic violence call every minute in the UK. And, on average, over two women a week are killed by current or ex-partners - that's over 100 women a year. Over 100 too many.

Most important, if you know a woman who is the victim of violence, don't turn away. That woman could be your sister, mother, daughter, friend.

Comments

[Maureen]

Great post, D. This is an issue we should all be addressing. As you show, it is far more common than we care to admit.

[Juliet]

I've always felt enormously guilty that, in my early 20s, I worked with a woman who was clearly a victim of domestic violence. She covered it up and I wasn't sufficiently bold or experienced enough to know how to help her. She came from a community which placed great emphasis on a wife's duty to obey her her husband unquestioningly. Thankfully, she was a strong and ambitious woman, who eventually took matters into her own hands and divorced her husband, despite the 'shame' and 'disgrace' which this brought upon her immediate family. She changed jobs and moved away, to escape further persecution from her husband and his brothers, and I lost touch with her. I often think of her and have never forgiven myself for not challenging the various excuses she would offer for her bruises and black eyes.