Creative Activism Expression

Media Release

4 December 2012

Creative Activism Expression

(16 days of activism against gender based violence, 25 Nov – 10 Dec) On Saturday 8th December, the Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni (ELFA) will have an open safe space and forum for expression of activism to mark the 16 days of activism against gender based violence.

There will be a dance performance, rendition, poems, readings and sharing – women and girls are invited to join us to express and empower!

During this forum, ELFA will also be launching the One Billion Rising global campaign with the girls and women in Labasa – this is a global campaign to rise, revolt and demand an end to all forms of violence against women. Girls, women, everyone else that loves and cares for them is invited to join us from 2-5pm at the Labasa Civic Center to mark the 16 days of activism against gender based violence. The 16 Days Campaign began on November 25, the International Day against Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day. These dates symbolically link violence against women and human rights, and emphasize that such violence is a human rights violation.

ELFA will be standing in solidarity to mark the campaign this year. The theme for this year is - From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women!

Earlier in the day ELFA will also be conducting a civic education awareness program with around 30 women living with disability and other women.

ELFA is an alumni of 82 young women aged 18-35 years. The members of ELFA have graduated from the young women in leadership program of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) held in five groups over a period of 6 years. The alumni members are made up of women from diverse socio-economic, cultural and racial backgrounds including of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities.

The objectives of ELFA is creating awareness and advocating for human rights and sustainable living based on the principles of feminism and humanity. The campaign is majorly funded by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and International Women’s Development Agency Inc.

Join us in an act of solidarity, demonstrating a refusal to accept all forms of violence against women and girls as a given. Join us in a revolution.

“Violence against girls and women is a pervasive human rights violation, a public health crisis, and an obstacle to equality, development, security, and peace. The terms “violence against women” and “gender-based violence” are used to refer to the range of abuses committed against women that stem from gender inequality and women’s subordinate status in society relative to men. Violence against women, including during war, is used to drive fear, and terrorize and humiliate women, their families and communities.” For more information contact ELFA on fj.alumni.elf@gmail.com or 9969907, 9255674.

ENDS

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