Today marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
From November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).
What is this campaign about?
It is a global initiative that:
- Highlights the problem of gender-based violence.
- Emphasizes that violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights.
- Encourages actions aimed at eliminating violence in all its forms.
Do women feel safe?
- According to a study by the Ster Foundation (2018), 87% of women in Poland have experienced harassment in public spaces at least once in their lives, and 56% admitted to experiencing it multiple times.
- Data from the Polish Police Headquarters (2022) indicates that approximately 1,500 rapes are reported annually in Poland, but the actual number of cases may be several times higher due to underreporting.
- In public spaces, 55% of women in Poland reported feeling unsafe walking alone at night, as confirmed by a CBOS survey in 2021.
- According to a UN Women report, 1 in 3 women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence during their lifetime, most often by an intimate partner.
- Globally, at least 70% of women report experiencing sexual harassment in public spaces, especially in urban areas.
- A 2019 study by the Thomson Reuters Foundation showed that in many cities, such as Delhi, Cairo, and Mexico City, women feel particularly vulnerable when traveling at night.
What can we do?
- Raise awareness about violence and harassment.
- Create safe spaces for women.
- Promote education on equality and respect.
Every woman has the right to feel safe—everywhere and always.