NEW YORK CITY KICKS OFF ‘16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM’ AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

New Yorkers urged to join in the fight against gender-based violence 

 The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, Commission on Gender Equity, and other City agencies today began New York City’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual global campaign to raise awareness about the far reaching consequences of gender-based violence and to urge government, community, corporate, and philanthropic sectors to develop strategies that eliminate gender-based violence. From November 25 (International Day to End Violence against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day), New Yorkers are encouraged to participate in the campaign by using the Action Kit and attending events around the city.

“Every day, we witness people bravely sharing their stories of persistence and survival in the face of misogyny, sexual violence, and harassment. Their courage is contagious and it powers a movement for lasting change,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “In New York City, we are meeting this historic moment with our own action and leadership by uplifting survivors, connecting them to support, and working to prevent violence. But we cannot do this work alone – we want all New Yorkers to be part of the solution and take action against gender-based violence in our city.”

“We must work to end all gender-based violence in New York City, and the de Blasio administration stands with survivors here and around the world,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Raul Perea-Henze. “We are proud to join this global campaign to focus attention on gender-based violence and acknowledge survivors for their strength and resilience. All New Yorkers can help to end gender-based violence, and we encourage everyone to get involved and take action during these next 16 days and throughout the year.”

Since 2014, New York City has brought this critical international campaign to the local level as part of its work to address gender-based violence. In 2018, over 12,000 New Yorkers took action against gender-based violence across the five boroughs through dozens of outreach events and programs. A recap of last year’s campaign can be viewed here.

“New Yorkers can make a meaningful difference in the lives of domestic-based violence survivors in a matter of days,” said Cecil Noel, Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence. “Our campaign action kit provides an effective strategy to create awareness about this human rights issue. We challenge the citizens of this great city to lead the way in eradicating gender-based violence from our communities and from all future generations.”

“All New Yorkers, regardless of their gender identity, gender expression, or background, have the right to live safely in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. Safety is inextricably linked with one’s health, economic mobility, and overall well-being,” says Jacqueline Ebanks, Executive Director, NYC Commission on Gender Equity. “CGE is proud to work with the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in leading the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in New York City, alongside our other City agency and community partners, to mobilize New Yorkers to prevent, reduce, and eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.”

“Gender-based violence does not discriminate and so we must all do our part to stop it in its tracks,” said Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Commissioner Penny Abeywardena. “Our office works to exchange best practices with the global community and the United Nations and to showcase the connections between NYC’s progressive policies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among them is SDG 5: Gender Equality which, among other goals, seeks to end violence against women and girls. This work is universal but not insurmountable. Let’s recommit ourselves over the next 16 days — and beyond — to help our fellow New Yorkers. No one should have to live in fear.”

Four Steps to Join the Campaign

Step I: Get Informed Learn more about gender-based violence and how it affects girls, women, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

Step II: Listen/Believe/Support Listen to survivors' stories without judgement. Believe their experiences and encourage survivors to believe their own voices. Support survivors when they speak up. Let all survivors know: We see you. We hear you. We believe you.

Step III: Take Action Use the resources you have to mobilize your community to end gender-based violence. If you find yourself or someone else in a vulnerable situation and in need of assistance, seek help. Throughout this guide you will find resources to support survivors of gender-based violence. Remember, you can always call 911 or the City's 24-Hour Hotline at 800-621-HOPE (4673).

Step IV: Join the Campaign View the 2019 events calendar here. If you have questions about the Campaign, you can email: genderequity@cityhall.nyc.gov