The Pixel Project’s 10 Ways to Stop Violence

Women of the World devotes this important month to spreading awareness about preventing Violence Against Women

How you can help prevent violence against women? I hope the thought has crossed your mind, especially during this month. Many organizations are eager to spread awareness about this critical issue by taking action to end the violence NOW.

Here are 10 simple ways to stop violence against women by helping The Pixel Project:

1. Virtual volunteering with us - If you have a few hours to spare per week, consider joining The Pixel Project team which includes volunteers from 4 continents, 12 timezones and over 10 cities worldwide. Have internet connection, will volunteer, we say!
2. Twitter Ambassador programme – A micro-volunteering program engaging Twitter users to spread awareness about VAW through regular re-tweets.
3. Twitter Tag Team – Join our team working behind our Twitter account to bring the global public VAW helplines from more than 20 countries, and the latest news and information about VAW round the clock.
4. Facebook page – Join our page to join a one-stop shop of up-to-date VAW news, ideas to stop VAW and a discussion forum for supporters and survivors to raise awareness about VAW.
5. “Wall of Support” programme -A growing chorus of people from around the world and all walks of life speaking up to end VAW in person, on video via YouTube. Why not make your own – stand up and have your voice counted!
6. Spread the word about The Pixel Project’s work through our banners and buttons. Just right click, save the button/banner of your choice and upload as your Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn avatar!
7. Share your stories on our blog – Where you are a survivor, a supporter, an activist, an advocate or a volunteer for the cause, we would love to hear from you!
8. Support our partners – The Pixel Project has partnered up with a diverse roster of partner organisations worldwide including UNIFEM’s “Say NO – UNiTE” campaign, The White Ribbon campaign and The Sisterhood is Global. Check out our monthly Call-to-Action Calender to find out which of our partners’ activities will be happening near you!
9. Partner with us – If you are a non-profit organization or charity working to end VAW, we’d love to hear from you!
10. Be a Social Media Ambassador - Do you have a Facebook account? A Twitter account? A blog? Take part in our social media campaigns and daily social media conversations. Better yet: Encourage your friends and family to get on board the cause by joining us on Facebook, following us on Twitter or checking out our website!

To see all of our latest updates follow us @womenwotw1

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Women of the World will devote the entire month to articles on prevention, support, resources, and advocates for women who are victims of violence.

One in every three women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence).

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in which organizations and people all across the globe are committed to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country.

Stopvaw.org explains how violence affects men, women and children of all ages and how it can be stopped. A person’s life may be severely affected by domestic violence. Women may suffer from a variety of medical problems, such as, depression, chronic pain, increased risk of sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies. In addition, women as well as men may miss work because of their medical problems. Domestic violence can also be fatal and victims of domestic violence are more likely to commit suicide.

• 40-70% of all female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner

Not only are victims affected by domestic violence; others close to them may also be affected by this global problem. Domestic violence has significant consequences for children, family, friends, co-workers, and the community. Family and friends may be targeted by the abuser in retaliation for helping a woman leave a violent relationship or find assistance. Children in homes where domestic violence occurs may be witnesses to abuse and possibly abused.

Womenshealth.gov lists 6 ways you can prevent domestic violence:

• Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence.
• Support a friend or family member who may be in an abusive relationship.
• Volunteer at a local domestic violence shelter or another organization helping survivors or working to prevent violence.
• Raise your children to respect others. Teach your children to respect others and to treat others as they would like to be treated. Lead by example.
• Protect yourself. Take a self-defense class.
• Become an activist.

For more information on our upcoming events to stop violence against women, please go to our Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Women-of-the-World/109693405726142?ref=ts

Fabulous Fashion Event!

What is time well spent? For me, it’s shopping with a purpose. Women of the World will host Fashion Face Forward II luncheon on Oct 14 at the Mid-America Club. Talk about the best of both worlds - passion & purpose. Chicago designers Lauren Lein, Yana German, Nora Del Busto, Jermikko & Edla De La Rosa will take us into fall on the runway.

Two incredible women, Eve Ensler & Representative Jan Schakowsky will receive the new Inspired Visionary Award for their ongoing efforts in raising awareness of stemming violence against women.
We will “Count Our Blessings” as we support the Chicago Metropolitan Women’s Network.
We will support the Gen Y’s with our newest launch “Raise Them Up.”
We will network and elevate awareness about the issue of violence against women.

And we can all share the chance for great takeaways:

* 2 tickets to the David Letterman show
* 2 tickets to ANY Southwest Airlines destinations
* 6 months of Professional Coaching
* Tickets to multiple sporting events
* Several varying hotel packages
* And more!

Sponsors welcome, tables available and volunteers are needed. Please go directly to the website for the opportunity to pave the path for the next generation of women leaders while speaking in a unified voice to Stop Violence Today.
http://www.womenwotw.org//fashionfaceforwardii.php

Volunteer Vacations

Travel hungry? You want to see new places but may be challenged by
• no companion
• little money
• fear of the unknown

Here is your answer: volunteering vacations. The popularity of giving back and helping others has grown in the last few years. Think about the devastation of New Orleans and the ongoing havoc in Haiti. Connect your interest with a location and pack those bags!

Here are 9 good reasons to consider traveling with purpose.

1. Help out others in need
2. Get away but still feel productive
3. Stay close to home or travel to the farthest corners
4. Applauded for the service you donate
5. Save money while still seeing a new area
6. Network with a different community
7. Create new friendships with like-minded travelers

8. Enjoy the security of being in a group
9. Build your resume

If you are looking to do something a bit more philanthropic with those vacation days, a volunteer vacation is a great opportunity to get away while still giving back. Additionally, many of these trips (particularly domestically) are reasonably priced. Some vacations offer stipends, but the majority of trips are financed by the volunteer. However, other benefits can include free (or discounted) lodging or food. There are volunteer opportunities all over the US and worldwide – find a location that appeals to you and research volunteer projects in that area.

Here are a few websites that can take you to places with purpose & passion:

http://charityguide.org/volunteer/vacations.htm
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/volunteer/index.shtml

Happy travels!

Eighth Event of 2010 for Women of the World

Learn about a new way you change your life and make a positive change in the world.

Volunteers:
“Service to Others is the Rent you pay for Your Room Here on Earth”

Wednesday, August 18, 2010
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Mid-America Club

Featuring:

Patricia Vile: Volunteer Expeditions
Mary Gomez: Coordinator External Relations, Transport Team, Children’s Memorial Hospital
Additional speaker to be announced


“What in the world can I do to make a difference?” Help build a home, tutor a child, clean up a local park, and assist in natural disaster recovery. Whatever your interest, there is a need for your time, passion and skills. Volunteering changes lives, especially your own. These speakers will take us to the work in progress and desperately needed assistance in both Haiti and New Orleans. “There is no ‘I’ in Team but there is a ‘U’ in Volunteer!”

Striving For an End to Domestic Violence

Women of the World’s “Violence Against Women- Shout it Out & Stop it Now” panel is July 21, just days away. We wanted to put the spotlight on another organization that stands up for the rights of women through advocacy, education and awareness in order to decrease domestic violence - Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network. With the vision of “working toward a future where domestic violence and oppression are eradicated and where women and children are safe in their homes,” the Network’s goals are closely aligned with Women of the World. We enthusiastically applaud their efforts as they raise awareness and create programs to eliminate violence against women.

Begun in 1980 by a modest group of women, the organization has grown rapidly. Their impact allows for CMBWN to touch a variety of issues in need of social change and support. They strongly “believe in a woman’s right to determination in all aspects of her life, and that living free from violence is a basic human right.” This conviction creates momentum - CMBWN continues to increase the number of volunteers, programs, members and sponsors. A variety of committees serve specific issues and groups such as the Children & Teen Issues Committee, Women of Color Committee and Legal & Legislative Issues Committee. As part of advocacy and education, the Network provides statistics and information on domestic violence locally and globally. CMBWN gives Chicagoans a chance to give back and assist in ending a frightening epidemic of marginalizing women through violence.

CMBWN offers a Centralized Training Institute where they “prepare participants to effectively respond and deliver quality services to victims of domestic violence and their children.” This training speaks to the long-term mission of the Network to eradicate violence, since the ability of people to respond and assist effectively helps to reduce and end domestic violence as it occurs. The Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network is a place where advocates, victims, organizations, and government affiliates can all unite under a common goal. We are proud to financially support the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network at Fashion Face Forward on Oct 14, 2010 at the Mid-America Club in Chicago.

Violence Against Women: A Pervasive Pandemic

Trekking the city streets of Chicago, one can easily get lost in the world of fast-paced business. Day in day out, the illusion of safety prevails. It is easy to forget that not every woman is so lucky as to be living and working in a life free from violence. In fact, 1 in 5 women are touched by some sort of domestic violence.

Violence against women affects millions each year and oftentimes is inflicted by a family member, friend, or close acquaintance. While there are instances of violent acts being reported, publicized, tried, or stopped, far too many women are paralyzed by fear and shame to speak up. Only half the acts of domestic violence are reported to the police.

In a 10-country study on women's health and domestic violence conducted by the World Health Organization,
o Between 15% and 71% of women reported physical or sexual violence by a husband or partner.
o Many women said that their first sexual experience was not consensual. (24% in rural Peru, 28% in Tanzania, 30% in rural Bangladesh, and 40% in South Africa).
o Between 4% and 12% of women reported being physically abused during pregnancy.

Other statistics include the following alarming facts:
• Every year, family members in the name of honor murder about 5,000 women each year worldwide.
• Trafficking of women and girls for forced labor and sex is widespread and often affects the most vulnerable. The United Nations estimates that 4 million women and girls are trafficked annually.
• Forced marriages and child marriages violate the human rights of women and girls, yet they are widely practiced in many countries in Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.
• Up to one in five women and one in 10 men report experiencing sexual abuse as children. Children subjected to sexual abuse are much more likely to encounter other forms of abuse later in life.

While much of the study conducted by the World Health Organization highlights the abuses endured by women in poor countries or countries in war, it is crucial to remember that this problem exists worldwide. Even in first world countries such as the United States, gender violence is epidemic. According to the Family Violence Interventions for the Justice System, boys who witness their fathers' violence are 10 times more likely to engage in spousal abuse in later adulthood than boys from non-violent homes.

If you are interested in learning more about this global pandemic, consider attending Women of the World’s next event “Violence Against Women- Shout it Out & Stop it Now.” Our esteemed panelists will present an overview on violence as a cultural legacy, the short and long term health ramifications, the legal rights of violated women and the educational awareness programs. Support the prevention and awareness of violence against women and register today: http://womenwotw.org/events.php