16 Celebrities Who Support The Cause to End Violence Against Women

Ending violence against women isn’t the most “cuddly” of campaigns because to support and advance this cause is to face and acknowledge the ugly side of humanity. Indeed, the wall of silence and taboo still surrounding violence against women and the sheer scale of this most widespread of human rights issues often become an obstacle that prevents ordinary people, as well as celebrities, from getting actively involved with the cause.

The 16 celebrities who have made our list have overcome that obstacle with gusto, and have shown dedication, commitment and energy in the campaign to end violence against women, for good. All 16 celebrities have used their fame, influence and fund raising capacity in a positive way- and our blog post today goes some way to show our thanks for their efforts. Continue reading

Activism 101: 16 Consequences of Violence Against Women

Suloshini Jahanath, long-time Pixel Project volunteer, Twitter Tag Team Coordinator and a member of the team at  The Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW) contributes today’s 16 for 16 list – 16 consequences of Violence Against Women (VAW)

This is by no means a comprehensive list but it’s a great starting point for anyone who is new to the cause or to activists who need a short but digestible list to help with awareness-raising, advocacy and educational efforts in preventing VAW.

So get reading and get moving on taking action.

It’s time to stop violence against women. Together.

Note: Some of the information below may be triggering. Continue reading

16 Ways to Help Your Local Domestic Violence Shelter

If you’ve been thinking about supporting issues pertaining to violence against women, one of the best times to start helping your local domestic violence is during the holiday season.  With The Pixel Project’s contribution to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence being its new “16 for 16” blogging campaign, this blog post brings you 16 ways to help your local Domestic Violence Shelter and will hopefully give you a jumpstart to assist the needs of a local shelter in your area. Continue reading

16 Online Resources for Escaping/Healing from Violence Against Women

Some of the most difficult – and often, most dangerous – part of the work done by activists, organisations, grassroots groups and individuals for the cause to prevent and stop Violence Against Women (VAW) is helping women to escape and heal from the violence they have experienced. In cases where gender-based violence takes the form of domestic violence or culturally sanctioned ritual violence such as Female Genital Mutilation, an additional difficulty lies in getting women and girls to take steps to get or accept help to escape the violence being done to them.

In today’s 16 for 16 blog entry, The Pixel Project presents 16 resources for women wanting to get help escaping or healing from various forms of VAW as well as those who wish to understand why and how a particular form of VAW occurs in order to successfully help the women and girls who need it.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of resources but it is a good starting point. To access the resource for each type of violence just click the hyperlink.

It’s time to stop violence against women. Together.

Edited and introduced by Regina Yau; Research and summaries by Eliska Hahn. Continue reading

Activism 101: 16 Notable VAW Organisations and Activists on Twitter That You Should Follow

Turbo-boosted into cyberspace, 2011 saw ‘The Arab Spring’ documented in real time. The tweets poured in- sometimes 50 at a time- as the people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria and Bahrain- decided enough was enough. The Twittersphere has shown us, hope for a better future spreads like wild fire.

The growing movement to end violence against women (VAW) is a frontrunner in changing the world for the better through online people power.  The international 16 days of activism has showcased how countless anti-vaw charities have integrated Web 2.0 into their online strategies- holding governments to account on funds, law making and resources, and also galvanising ordinary men and women to put a stop to violence against women, for good. Continue reading

Activism 101: 16 Striking Campaigns for the Cause to End Violence Against Women

As we have noted and discussed time and time again, Violence Against Women (VAW) is an issue that is considered controversial, taboo and/or normal in many communities and cultures worldwide to the point where, depending on the community and culture, any of the following take place:

  • VAW is swept under the rug – characterised as a “private” family matter that should never be discussed in public.
  • VAW becomes the “elephant in the room” in public discourse whereby communities know who is doing the beating/who are the rapists/who is being cut etc but willfully turn a blind eye.
  • VAW is seen as too “triggering” or ugly a topic to be discussed in normal conversation even while the media and entertainment normalises and desensitises VAW.
  • VAW is ridiculed as a special interest issue – a “women’s issue” – even if women comprise half the planet’s population and are certainly not a minority/special interest group.
  • VAW is demonised as a feminist and sexist red herring by Male Rights Activists and other upholders of the patriarchal norm.

16 of The Pixel Project’s Best Blog Articles…So Far

The Pixel Project’s blog has been one of our key tools for raising awareness about Violence Against Women (VAW) worldwide. Through our blog, we have presented everything from action lists to interviews to detailed articles about positive solutions to preventing, stopping and ending VAW.

It is our soapbox: our virtual platform-with-megaphone where we speak out against VAW.

Our blog has been quoted by the Associated Press, shared by thousands of activists, survivors and supporters worldwide and provided us with the privilege of showcasing some of the most innovative ideas and activists in the movement to end VAW today. And who better to present a round-up of our best blog articles (so far) than our long-time Blog Editor, Crystal Smith.

So over to you, Crystal:

– Regina Yau, Founder and President, The Pixel Project Continue reading

16 Memorable Ways of Dealing With Street Harassment

For the 8th day of the 16 Days of Activism, we are proud to share a special blog list of 16 memorable ways of dealing with street harassment which has been kindly compiled by Holly Kearl, Founder of Stop Street Harassment and one of our 16 Female Role Models of 2010.

Almost 100% of women and girls experience street harassment in their lifetimes ranging from the uncomfortable to the downright dangerous. Holly receives many stories of women fighting back against street harassment by themselves or with the help of friends, family and bystanders which is shared on the Stop Street Harassment website and Facebook page to help raise awareness of this particular type of violence against women as well as provide inspiration and ideas for everyone on making public places and spaces safe ones for women.

This list provides a starting point for all to learn about and discuss the impact of street harassment. We hope it’ll inspire you to take action.

It’s time to stop violence against women. Together.

– Regina Yau, Founder and President, The Pixel Project

Continue reading

The Pixel Project Selection 2011: 16 Songs About Violence Against Women (and Staying Strong and Positive)

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” — Victor Hugo

The subject of Violence Against Women (VAW) is a difficult one to discuss and face for most people, cultures and communities. Whether it is considered taboo, a non-issue or a private matter, a wall of silence often envelopes the issue, making it one of the most entrenched and difficult human rights violations to dislodge and eradicate. Therefore, activists, campaigners and charities/nonprofits often have to get creative in highlighting the seriousness and severity of gender-based violence and its impact on the well-being of communities and societies as a confrontational approach may backfire, cause a backlash or simply not work.

One of the most powerful and creative methods of raising awareness about VAW and spreading the message of saying NO to VAW is through music and song. From medieval bards to protest folk singers of the 1960s to today’s Pop, Rock and Country songwriters, musicians, singers and songwriters have always played a pivotal role in spreading the message about social issues via their lyrics and using musical hooks to ensure that the song stays with the listener until the message sinks in. Continue reading

Activism 101: 16 Ways to Support The Pixel Project’s Work to Stop Violence Against Women

Welcome to the eleventh day of 16 Days of Activism and our 16 for 16 campaign!

With the G(irls) 20 Summit calling on world leaders to end gender-based violence and inequality, and with the Nobel Prize being awarded to three women “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights,” the issue of violence against women has gotten some high-profile attention of late. However, there is still much to do to bring an end to the violence that plagues 1 in 3 women and girls worldwide.

Not sure where to begin? Why not begin with us – here are 16 ways you can take part in and support The Pixel Project’s work to stop violence against women.

Introduction by Crystal Smith with Regina Yau; List compiled by Crystal Smith; Retro Social Media Icons illustration courtesy of Mike Weinstein. Continue reading