Right now, one third of the world's women is experiencing domestic, sexual, economic or urban violence. It happens everywhere, all the time.
As in the case of Irene, who at the mere age of 9 risked undergoing female genital mutilation and being sold as a child bride to an older man. Or like Yolanda, who had nowhere to take refuge from her husband's repeated violence. And like Lucie, who was raped and forced to give birth to twins, whom she had to take care of alone while still a minor.
Today, more than ever, we invite you to reflect on the impact that this violence has on the lives of thousands of women. We at ActionAid want to fight them and to do so we need your support now.
The result of your commitment: we have helped Irene, who can now go to school without having to fear being sold anymore. We supported Yolanda, who is now the director of an ActionAid anti-violence centre. We supported Lucie, who joined a women's cooperative and is now an independent small businesswoman.
Some of the activities you will enable us to carry out thanks to your contribution:
SUPPORT TO ANTI-VIOLENCE CENTRES
We collaborate with several anti-violence centres in the South to provide medical, legal and psychological support to women who suffer violence.
MOBILISATIONS AGAINST VIOLENCE ON WOMEN
Together with many local realities we organise demonstrations and pressure groups to make the authorities aware of the problem and demand their intervention.
FIGHTING EARLY MARRIAGES AND FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
Millions of girls and young women are subjected to harmful traditions such as female genital mutilation or early marriage. This is why we raise awareness in communities about the consequences of these practices and the sexual and reproductive rights of women, and encourage change in the social and cultural causes of such behaviour.
PATHS OF ECONOMIC AID TO WOMEN
Lack of education deprives women of economic independence.
That is why we organise professionalisation and money management courses, creating new opportunities they would otherwise not have access to.
IMPROVING URBAN SAFETY
With our Safe Cities programme we work to make cities safer places for women, girls and children by improving lighting, public transport, the right to education and housing.
Did you know that in many cantons it is possible to deduct the donations you make to ActionAid in your tax declaration?
At the end of the year, we will provide you with a certificate that you can use for this purpose.