Inaction creates untold and unnecessary misery. Inaction denies women and girls their fundamental human rights to safety, dignity and justice. And inaction is shameful and inexcusable.

Too many government leaders don’t see it. They don’t hear it. They just don’t get it! They need to pull their ‘heads out of the sand’. We need to make them hear our demand for action.

On March 8th we will be focusing our attention on making real change happen in six countries – Afghanistan, Belarus, Canada, Guatemala, Jamaica and Nigeria.

What has to happen everywhere to stop violence against women?

Government and community leaders around the world, including in Canada, must take action and stop avoiding the issue – like the storybook ostrich sticking its head in the sand. Government and community leaders need to take the following actions:

See it! Recognize the scope of violence against women and girls, and confront its root causes. These include: racial, gender and class discrimination; poverty; lack of adequate housing and education; unsafe environments; and community or political instability and conflict.

Make it a crime. Make violence against women and girls illegal, in line with international law and human rights standards.

Ensure justice and compensation. Ensure that the training, policies and practices of the police, justice and health systems enable women and girls to gain justice and compensation for these crimes.

Provide support. Fund agencies and programs, such as shelters and legal aid that enable women and girls escaping violence to rebuild their lives.

What can I do to Stop Violence Against Women?

Here are some actions that you can take on or around March 8, International Women’s Day, to Stop Violence Against Women:

Take Action Now: Sign an online appeal to Stop Violence Against Women in Afghanistan.

Send appeals: Write letters to the governments of Afghanistan, Canada, Belarus, Guatemala, Jamaica, and Nigeria. Links to actions are in the right sidebar.

Learn more: Learn about violence against women by taking Amnesty’s International Women’s Day Quiz!

Join an event: Want to get involved with others in your community? Check out our Event Listing page to find details about an event in your city. The link to the event listing is in the right sidebar.

Get others involved!:
Order our free March 8th postcards to give to friends and colleagues. To order, contact materials@amnesty.ca

Organize a Taste for Justice Evening: Stop violence against women by hosting a fundraising event in your community that involves food, friends and information on women’s human rights. For more information, check out our website: www.amnesty.ca/tasteforjustice, or contact tasteforjustice@amnesty.ca.

Stay involved:

Sign up for our Speak Out!: Keep informed of all the latest news and actions at Amnesty by subscribing to Speak Out, Amnesty Canada's monthly campaigning e-newsletter. The subscription form is at the bottom of the page.

Sign up for the Voice: Receive information and appeals for action through the newsletter of Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women campaign. To sign up, contact us at svaw@amnesty.ca.