It’s the 21st century, but sexual violence against women is still rife around the world.
The list of sexually violent acts against women is shocking – rape, early marriage, female genital mutiliation, bride knapping, rape as a weapon of war and femicide to name a few. Sexual violence against women affects girls, adolescents and women around the world – and it’s time that it stopped.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
By helping to raise awareness and speaking out against these terrible acts of violence, we can initiate change, empower girls and women and ensure that their basic human rights are met.
But the first step to change is education. By educating people and spreading the word about the kinds of sexual violence that women experience, we can start bringing about change, and creating a brighter and more equal future for girls.
Many of the statistics are shocking and hard hitting. But it’s important that they’re heard. For example, did you know that in India, half a million fewer girls than boys are born each year due to the practice of sex-selective abortion?
By helping to create awareness, you can help stop violence against women.
Sarah Paige is passionate about women’s rights and creating change for good. She’s been a proponent of the work of ActionAid Australia for many years, an aid organisation that is committed to fighting violence against women.