(Photo: Darfuri woman, Save Darfur) "And the world is watching. We need to hear the voice of women around the world." - Niemat Ahmadi, Genocide survivor in "16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence," Save Darfur Coalition, 2009) Coalition matches an awareness-raising action and an activist for each 16 days of campaign WASHINGTON – The Save Darfur Coalition is observing the internationally-observed “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” between November 25, 2009 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and December 10, 2009 (International Human Rights Day) through 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. Featured in the 2009 Save Darfur Coalition produced video clip (below), 16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Violence, genocide survivor, Niemat Ahmadi expresses the spirit behind this global campaign. The campaign is applicable for involvement by schools, univerisities, human rights and peace groups, women's groups, places of worship, families and communities. Two million people have been displaced from their homes in Darfur. Experts estimate that as many as 300,000 people lost their lives between 2003 and 2005. As committed in all wars, atrocities against women in Darfur continue. The movement to end Darfur violence through the Save Darfur Coalition and its media campaign is highlighted in the second video below, Voices for Darfur: 5 Years of Advocacy that highlights among other human rights advocates, UN Goodwill Ambassador 2008, Messenger of Peace, George Clooney. Global '16 Days' Campaign For each of the 16 days, the coalition’s unique campaign will honor a leader in the struggle to empower, protect and uplift women in Sudan and offer a corresponding action for activists. The global “16 Days” campaign began in 1991 at the Center for Global Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. It is observed by thousands of organizations across the globe. The Save Darfur Coalition is raising awareness about the endemic rape and sexual violence in Darfur by honoring 16 trail-blazing individuals or groups who are: · Fighting to end violence in Darfur · Promoting empowerment of Sudanese women · Contributing to a lasting peace in Sudan. Daily actions taken by activists will range from contacting their members of Congress and local media to educating their communities about the ongoing suffering in Sudan. The “16 Days” initiative is part of the Save Darfur Coalition’s ongoing advocacy efforts to combat the epidemic of sexual violence in Darfur and provide comprehensive services to survivors. A calendar with complete bios and detailed actions is located at: www.savedarfur.org/16days “Every honoree is a driven and uniquely talented ally of the thousands of women who have confronted and continue to suffer from violence in Darfur,” said Niemat Ahmadi a genocide survivor and liaison to the Darfuri diaspora community at the Save Darfur Coalition. “These advocates have greatly amplified the courageous voices of victims of sexual violence in Darfur, and are pioneers in pressing for action from the international community to protect women’s rights. Their effort has been remarkable and deserves our appreciation.” The calendar of honorees and actions are: Day 1 (Wednesday November 25, 2009) Action: Read and share the Farchana Manifesto, an inspiring declaration of women’s and human rights drafted by Darfuri women from the Farchana refugee camp in Eastern Chad, with your network. The manifesto can be found at: http://darfuriwomen.phrblog. Day 2 (Thursday November 26, 2009) Action: Wear a white ribbon which represents a personal pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women Day 3 (Friday November 27, 2009) Advocate: Maria Bello - Actor Action: Light a “Connection Candle” that features aromas drawn from a collection of ingredients found in Sudan and inspired by Darfur’s daily life and celebrations. Candles can be purchased at www.connectiondarfur.org/ . All proceeds will benefit the Save Darfur Coalition’s advocacy to end the crisis in Darfur Day 4 (Saturday November 28, 2009) Action: Write a letter of support to one of Save Darfur Coalition’s 16 honorees Day 5 (Sunday November 29, 2009) Advocate: Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond – Faith Leader and founder of My Sisters Keeper Action: Talk to your faith leader or religious group about highlighting violence against women in a prayer group or sermon. Day 6 (Monday November 30, 2009) Action: Write a letter to the editor (LTE) to your local newspaper highlighting gender-based violence in Darfur Day 7 (Tuesday December 1, 2009) Action: Learn how to spread the message using Facebook and Twitter at: www.savedarfur.org/pages/day-7 
Advocate: The Women of the Farchana Refugee Camp – Survivors from Darfur, Sudan
Advocate: Zainab Salbi – Co-founder and CEO of Women for Women International
Advocate: Dr. Mohamed Ahmed – Darfuri Physician and community leader specializing in treating and supporting victims of torture and sexual violence.
Advocate: Journalists covering violence against women in Sudan
Advocate: Melanne Verveer – United States Ambassador at-large for global women’s issues
Day 8 (Wednesday December 2, 2009)
Advocate: Rebecca Davis, choreographer of DARFUR, a multi-media dance production inspired by the documentary The Devil Came on Horseback
Action: Add your own out-of-the-box Sudan advocacy or awareness project to our "Creative Community" by visiting www.savedarfur.org/pages/day-8
Day 9 (Thursday December 3, 2009)
Advocate: Refugees International – A human rights organization that, among other projects, advocates for the necessary resources for victims of sexual violence in Darfur
Action: Inform yourself and your community about the status of refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sudan by visiting the Save Darfur Coalition’s collection of resources and reports related to sexual violence at www.savedarfur.org/pages/day-9
Day 10 (Friday December 4, 2009)
Advocate: Fatima Haroun- Community activist, President of the Darfur Rehabilitation Project and founding member of the Darfuri Leaders Network (DLN)
Action: Organize a community event (concert, silent auction, among others) to raise money for organizations that fight to end gender-based violence in Sudan
Day 11 (Saturday December 5, 2009)
Advocate: Russ Feingold (WI) and Barbara Boxer (CA) - United States Senators who raise awareness about gender-based violence, and try to bring about change on a legislative level
Action: Contact your Congress Representative and Senators and ask them to join the chorus of concerned citizens on a legislative level to affirm that women’s rights are human rights
Day 12 (Sunday December 6, 2009)
Advocates: Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda and Swanee Hunt – Mediators
Action: Read Donald Steinberg’s, the Deputy President (Policy) at the International Crisis Group, testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a hearing on global violence against women. The testimony can be found at: http://foreign.senate.gov/
Day 13 (Monday December 7, 2009)
Advocate: Halima Bashir – Survivor from Darfur and author of Tears of the Desert
Action: Read Halima’s book, Tears of the Desert with a book club
Day 14 (Tuesday December 8, 2009)
Advocate: NGOs and Civil Society Groups Working on the Ground in Sudan
Action: Hold a “teach-in” in your community, educating your friends about rape in Sudan
Day 15 (Wednesday December 9, 2009)
Advocate: Ann Curry – NBC Journalist
Action: Contact Dateline and ask the shows’ producers to feature gender-based violence in Sudan during a segment
Day 16 (Thursday December 10, 2009)
Advocate: Zeinab Eyega –Advocate from South Sudan
Action: Connect with Sudanese immigrants or diaspora living in the United States to help them tell their stories that need to be heard
A calendar with complete bios and detailed actions can be found at www.savedarfur.org/16days
16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Violence
By savedarfurcoalition, November 24, 2009
The Save Darfur Coalition, an alliance of more than 180 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations, raises public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur. The coalition mobilizes a unified response to the atrocities threatening lives of people throughout the Darfur region. The coalition’s member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur. For more information on the coalition, visit www.SaveDarfur.org.
Voices for Darfur: 5 Years of Advocacy
By savedarfurcoalition, November 09, 2009
Learn more by responsible action and continuing to ask, "Why?" and "Why not?": Your subscribing to Deborah Dupré's reports and forwarding and/or posting the link to this site is appreciated. Dupré is author of Operation H1N1: Vaccine Liberty or Death ebook available at DeborahDupre.com.
Recent articles by this Examiner
Human Rights peace workers jamming White House line. Rep. Lee leads peace-security bill
I submit my resignation. Humanitarian filmmaker Greenwald spotlights Hoh
Father Roy SOA Watch Nobel Peace Prize nomination announced at annual vigil
Songtree 'Paul Revere Email Campaign' 10 questions to ask corporate media about swine flu and WHO
Attorney launches National Emergency forced vaccine and quarantine reform
Paul Revere lantern in Hawaii: Swine Media Campaign response to Obama's National Emergency
Misinformation or Disinformation: National Emergency war on people, domestic crime against humanity?
Breaking denial about H1N1 'pandemic' National Emergency democracy crack down: Info 101
H1N1 'Pandemic' Psyop: Government disinformation, False Flag and FEMA
Comments