Every year, from November 25 to December 10, an international campaign invites all members of civil society to mobilize to fight against violence against women and girls. The orange color is the official color of these 16 days of awareness in which the Soroptimists actively participate.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in the world and a threat to millions of girls and women. All women can be victims, whatever their age, social condition or level of education. This violence takes many forms: physical, sexual or psychological violence, genital mutilation, early marriage, economic abuse and exploitation, mistreatment of elderly women, not to mention harassment on social networks.
The island of Saint-Martin is not immune to this scourge. On the contrary, we are witnessing an explosion in the number of cases of women victims of violence, gratuitous violence without limit.
The victims are often women arriving in precarious situations both economically, socially and administratively. The middle and better-off classes are not spared either.
The Soroptimist Club acts locally, in accordance with its motto:
- " TO UNDERSTAND " :
- Organization of conferences,
- Meeting with victims, managers of reception centers.
- " DEFEND " :
- Organization and participation at conferences, information campaigns
- Dissemination of documents and video or cinema supports dealing with violence against women and girls.
– “UNDERTAKE”:
- Funding for the creation of a reception and listening center
- Support actions carried out by associations specializing in this field
- Organization of awareness campaigns
For all these disfigured, humiliated and beaten women, let's say STOP violence against women. Let’s reach out to them, they need us!
In 1991, the Center for Global Women's Leadership (CLMF) initiated and coordinated a worldwide campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”.
On December 20, 1993, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
In 2014, the color ORANGE becomes the emblematic color of these days of activism. It symbolizes a better future and a fairer world, free of violence against women and girls. Soroptimist clubs around the world go for 15 days "orange" their cities, monuments, fountains, parks, distribute orange bows, orange balloons, orange roses, participate in marches or rallies to raise public awareness to violence against women.
Under the impetus of their association, known worldwide for their various actions in favor of the cause of women and gender equality, the Soroptimists will be everywhere on the ground, at the heart of the action, by allowing meetings, partnerships between the various associative actors, decision-makers and the public.
The Soroptimist Club of Saint-Martin was created in May 1994 and today has more than twenty members, all women who are active and committed to society.
For 26 years, they have continued to support women and girls in various fields such as health, education, human rights and the environment.
Their motto: "Understand, Defend and Undertake" is a source of inspiration and motivation to carry out their actions. _AF
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