Every year in October, the World YWCA and YWCAs worldwide mark the YWCA Week Without Violence, which aims to prevent violence in all its forms. This year, between 17-23 October, the annual global campaign inspired local activities at YWCAs around the world.

The objective of the Week Without Violence is to change attitudes, encourage actions by both individuals and organisations to end violence in their communities and globally, and showcase the role of women in tackling violence.

The issue of violence against women remains urgent and widespread: in Australia, 1 in 3 women experience physical violence in their life and 1 in 5 women experience sexual violence. In some regions such as the Pacific these numbers are far higher. The global impact of violence is demonstrated by statistics such as USAID’s 2008 report that 60 million girls worldwide are sexually assaulted at or on their way to school every year.

YWCA activities worldwide included the Power of Being a Girl full day conference held annually by YWCA Canada; talks on violence to girls in Belize City; a domestic violence awareness march and candle light vigil in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and the “speed dating” event held by YWCA Victoria.

» View the World YWCA Week without Violence resources & tools