Women's rights: Stop Violence Against Women

Gender-based violence is violence directed against a woman because she is a woman, or violence that affects women disproportionately.

It includes any type of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women. It includes threats of such acts, coercion or deprivation of liberty and can occur in public or private life.

Amnesty resources explore this issue and also look at the struggle for women's rights, and celebrate female human rights defenders:

• Film clip: Our Rights 
• Activity pack: Violence Against Women
• Report + Film: Safe Schools - Every Girl's Right
• Lesson plan: Trafficking

Find out more: Amnesty's campaign to Stop Violence Against Women

Film clip: Our Rights We Are All Born Free and equal. Stop Violence Against Women

This is a clip from Life Study, on Amnesty's Human Rights Are Our Rights DVD to celebrate the 60th aniversary of the UDHR. An artist is creating a piece of artwork on December 10, Human Rights Day, and observes human rights issues in his community.

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Find out more:
Which rights are explored in this film? 
Background info: Violence Against Women (pdf)

Please bear in mind that some students in your lesson may have witnessed or experienced violence against women.You may wish to display organisations that can provide help and support during the session.

Women's Rights 1: Global Gender Inequality

Age group: 11-18
Cost: Free
Activities exploring gender issues relating to language, stereotyping and socialised inequalities. 
Download

Women's Rights 2: Violence Against Women

Age group: 11-18 
Cost: Free 
Activities to demonstrate the widespread existence of violence against women, define the forms of violence against women and show what must be done to prevent it. For use in teaching Personal Social and Health Education, Citizenship and English.  

Please bear in mind that some students in your lesson may have witnessed or experienced violence against women.You may wish to display organisations that can provide help and support during the session.

Download

Women's Rights 3: Claiming Women's Rights

Age group: 11-18 
Cost: Free 
Activities exploring the struggle for women's rights throughout history and across the globe, including examples of key female human rights defenders. 
Download | Download curriculum links

Report + Film: Safe Schools - Every Girl's Right

Education is key to women around the world responding to and creating their own opportunities. It is crucial to breaking cycles of poverty, violence and disease, but 60 years after human rights were enshrined in the Universal Declaration, a new Amnesty report shows that girls across the world face a range of barriers to their human right to education.
Read the report | Watch the Safe Schools film

Help and support

Bear in mind that some students may have witnessed or experienced violence against women. You may wish to display contact details for organisations that can offer help and support during your lessons.

Women's Aid  0808 2000 247 
Free 24-hour national domestic violence helpline 

Childline  0800 1111
Free 24-hour helpline

Children 1st
Support for children and families in Scotland 

Welsh Women's Aid  0808 80 10 800 
Wales domestic abuse helpline 
 
NSPCC Wales/Cymru Child Protection Helpline  0808 1002524  
Bilingual service

NSPCC Asian Child Helpline  0800 0967719 
Includes advice on forced marriages

Forced Marriage Unit  020 7008 0151
Confidential advice and help for those at risk of being forced into marriage overseas

BBC website
Information, help and support for anyone affected by domestic violence

Which human rights does this issue relate to?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (summary version) Article 1 We are all born free. We all have our own thoughts and ideas. We should all be treated in the same way. Article 2 These rights belong to everybody; whether we are rich or poor, whatever country we live in, whatever sex or whatever colour we are, whatever language we speak, whatever we think or whatever we believe. Article 5 Nobody has any right to hurt us or to torture us. Article 29 We have a duty to other people, and we should protect their rights and freedoms.

Find out more: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Amnesty's campaign to stop violence against women

Our Stop Violence Against Women campaign is a contribution to the efforts of women's rights movements around the world. Our campaign is designed to mobilise both men and women to counter violence and to use the power and persuasion of the human rights framework to stop violence against women.

In the UK, much of the campaign focuses on encouraging the government to uphold its responsibility to protect women from violence. For example, the campaign is currently pressuring the government to provide protection and support for women suffering from domestic violence, regardless of their immigration status.


Find out more: Stop Violence Against Women campaign