OneWorld.net (U.S.)

© Jane McGrory"Worldwide, at least one of every three women will experience some kind of violence--she may be beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime," explains Amnesty International.

Despite increasing information, discussion, and program development to stop gender violence, and although the UN issued its Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in 1993, violence against women remains all too common--and all too ignored.

This violence occurs most often from an acquaintance, family member, or partner/spouse, but it may also be inflicted by strangers, government security forces, or armed rebels.

Since 1990, organizations around the world have marked 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence between November 25 and December 10. The period begins with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and concludes on International Human Rights Day. This year, as always, many U.S.-based non-profit organiztions are actively participating, and their activities provide a range of opportunities to become more informed and get involved.

© Amnesty International USAFor an overview on the prevalence and implications of gender violence worldwide, have a look at a fact sheet provided by the Women's Edge Coalition. For more on the situation in the United States, check the Feminist Majority Foundation's Violence Information Center http://www.feminist.org/other/dv/dvfact.html.

Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) also provides an index of relevant learning materials, news stories, and useful links on their Violence Against Women feature page. Other organizations making news around gender violence this week include:

• Refugees International anticipating the high-level UN conference on December 4 aimed at eliminating sexual exploitation and abuse by international agency staff.
• The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) is highlighting the work of Womankind Kenya in changing gender roles, combating female genital cutting, and ending violence in Kenya's Somali Community.
• The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is marking the campaign by distributing information packets and airing radio and television public service announcements in Latin America aimed at advancing human rights and ending violence against women.

© Centre for Development and Population ActivitiesIf you're concerned about gender violence, or you’re motivated to get more involved, here are two campaigns you can participate in:

• Visit Amnesty International's 16 Days of Activism page to find out about a different action you can take each day to call attention to violence against women.
• Find out more about a joint campaign to increase U.S. leadership in ending gender-based violence globally. The effort is sponsored by the Women's Edge Coalition, Amnesty International, and the Family Violence Prevention Fund.