South Asia: "WE CAN" Campaign on Violence Against Women

March 31, 2008 - (WUNRN) The six-year, six-country, South Asian Campaign to End All Violence against Women - or the 'WE CAN" campaign - aims to deal with violence women endure daily, both within their homes and in the larger society in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

It recognizes violence against women is rooted in gender inequality and that whether in homes or outside, it reflects the power structures in society which relegate the status of women to be only after that of men. Its starting point is, thus, to deal with conditions that systematically deny women their lives, health, rights, choices, and power in the family.

Violence against women affects every woman’s life in the region, even if she herself is not a victim. It is evident in every decision she makes - or does not - (within homes, social settings or workplace) be it the mode of dress, behavior or movement. And, in turn, it affects each one in society adversely.

Launched in 2004 and being taken forward by over 1,810 organizations in the six countries, ‘We Can’ has raised large scale public awareness on bias, inequality, and violence against women, particularly domestic violence, and is a trigger for a new consciousness, attitudinal change and enhancement of rights.

It is allowing millions of ordinary men and women find their own solutions to violence in their homes and lives, and find ways to reject it.

In its second phase now, ‘We Can’ is building social cohesion and networks. This will support and sustain the created change, foster an organized mass movement, and aid in transforming existing power relations in society to end all violence against women.

From:http://www.wunrn.com/news/2008/04_08/03_31_08/033108_south.htm