By Amanda Ojeda and Colleen Meosky
Gender-based violence is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world and affects 35% of women worldwide. This alarming statistic eventually led to the creation of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international campaign started by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It starts on November 25th and ends on International Human Rights Day, December 10th.
Gender-based violence comes in various forms such as physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and socioeconomic violence. Because of the many shapes gender-based violence, or GBV, takes, it often is overlooked. This is especially true in teenage relationships and matter of domestic violence such as marital rape. Other examples of GBV are human trafficking in which every 26 seconds a child is trafficked, honor killings, and child marriage. This is why our very own Girl Up Club members decided to take action.
Several of East’s Girl Up members worked the table in the commons, inviting all students and faculty to sign posters the club made earlier in the week. Adorned with orange handprints, the cause’s symbol, the posters carry the signatures of everyone who chose to show their support for the campaign. These posters can now be seen in the commons, the heart of East.
East will continue to advocate for this cause with multiple upcoming projects, including Girl Up’s third annual holiday card drive! The school community is encouraged to partake in the club’s mission to send well wishes to residents of Cornerstone Manor, a Buffalo City Mission shelter. Many consider the holiday season to be the best time of the year, but for those with broken family situations, December can be an especially hard month. No matter what holiday you do or do not celebrate, themes of peace and joy are wonderful to embrace as we finish the year. This card drive is a fantastic service opportunity and is a great chance for NHS members and gov students to earn volunteer hours!
At the district-level, members of the Superintendent’s Inter-High Advisory Council are working to help students and faculty recognize the signs of sexual harassment and assault in a high school environment. More information about this effort will be released in the coming weeks.
Girl Up’s officers and members would like to thank our advisor, Mrs. Fey-Daly, for her constant support and attention to this issue. The club would also like to mention its appreciation for Mrs. Bailey, who has been kind enough to stand in for Mrs. Fey-Daly while she’s out for jury duty.
East’s support for the 16 Days campaign is an important first step in a series of action for this cause to follow this year, and we look forward to seeing our community’s continued support.
