Call goes out to prevent violence against women and girls
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THE chairperson of the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership has highlighted the need to promote equality and prevent violence against women and girls.
Jacquelyn Jennett was speaking today, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marking the start of an international campaign for 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
“Everyone can do something to promote equality and prevent violence against women and girls," she said. "Violence and abuse can have a devastating impact on the lives of women and children in local communities.
"It is estimated that more than one in three women in Scotland have experienced physical, sexual violence and/or coercive controlling behaviour, and one in five children have experienced domestic abuse.”
Highland Council’s executive chief officer for health and social care, Lesley Weber, said: “Highland Council is fully supportive of this campaign and indeed all the work being done locally to raise awareness and tackle issues of gender-based violence."
As part of the 16 days of action members of the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership are organising number of activities across the region. These include workshops run by Caithness and Sutherland Women’s Aid, as well as launch of a report called Participating in Equally Safe in the Highlands and Islands, social media campaigns by members and training of Department for Work and Pensions staff. Rape and Sexual Abuse Services Highland will be holding a Reclaim the Night march.
The partnership includes statutory agencies and third sector partners that work together to raise awareness of the harm caused by gender inequality and violence against women and girls, and to improve outcomes for women and children affected by violence and abuse.
