“16 Days” to stop violence against women

Photo: The IRC

Heidi Lehmann

Guest blogger Heidi Lehmann is the International Rescue Committee’s senior technical advisor for gender based violence. I started working in war zones in 2001 when I joined the International Rescue Committee.  Since then, I have worked in some of the worst conflict zones in the world, including Sudan, Thailand and West Africa. In Liberia, a country where an estimated 40 percent of women have been sexually assaulted, the IRC has trained teams to meet the health and emotional needs of survivors. We have started a male intervention in two counties to promote the idea that men must be allies in stopping violence against women and girls. I share these examples with you because I want to show that, as devastating and seemingly overwhelming as the war on women is, there are things that can be done -- must be done -- to make a difference. We do not have the luxury of being overwhelmed. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence provides each of us with an opportunity to learn more about the issues that women and girls face around the world and what IRC is doing to support these women. The IRC launches the campaign today with a panel discussion, “Realizing the Human Rights of Women and Girls in Thailand,” at our headquarters in NYC.  We will also continue to update you here on this site about how IRC is working with women and what you can do to offer your support.