Violence against women |
Gender-based violence (GBV) or violence against women and girls (VAWG), is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.
The numbers are staggering:
- 35% of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.
- Globally, 7% of women have been sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner.
- Globally, as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner.
- 200 million women have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting.
Unfortunately, the Philippines is said to be one of the most dangerous places for women in Asia. Rape happens every 72 minutes, and at least 1 in 20 women aged 15 to 49 experienced sexual violence. Of all Filipinas who have been harassed, half of them took it and seemed to have accepted them as it is. It's such a grim that reality stories such as these are oftentimes ignored, ridiculed or discredited.
An initiative by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in partnership with Avon Philippines shows 16 Days of Activism where for 16 days, orange has been chosen as a symbol of a brighter future where women won't fear violence in their own homes, streets or online. The said color shows solidarity with women all around the globe. Avon is going orange across its social media platforms starting November 25 (UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Right's Day).