Stop Violence Against Women

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Friday November 25, 2005 15:58 by Louise

Women's Aid launches it's 16 Days campaign.

Today is International Day against Violence against Women. Women’s Aid has launched its ‘16 Days of Action of Violence Against Women’ campaign. The 16 Days is part of a global campaign for women’s human rights. The 16 Days campaign takes place from the 25th November - 10th December.

One-hundred-and-seven women have been murdered in Ireland in the last 108 months. In the vast majority of cases, the killer was a man known to the victim, the Women's Aid organisation has said.

According to the organisation, which provides support to women and their children who are being abused, over 80% of the 107 women murdered were killed by a man known to them, while almost 50% were murdered by a current or ex-partner.

However funding for services for women who are victims of violence has not been increased since 2002, despite increases in running costs. This, Women's Aid has warned, has led to a cutback in services.

"Many people would like to believe that this issue has been dealt with, but this is clearly not the case. The political will to take this issue seriously must be translated into adequate funding in this year's Budget. However despite the clear need, there is no indication of an increase in the estimates", said Margaret Martin, director of the organisation.

Ms Martin referred to a recent survey which found that frontline services dedicated to female victims of violence are all experiencing funding difficulties, with many having to cut back on services.

"This cutback in funding comes at a time when more and more women are attempting to access services", she said.

In fact in 2003, the Women's Aid national freephone helpline recorded a significant increase in calls that could not be answered due to a lack of resources.

"The seriousness of the levels of violence against women in Ireland today and the failure of the legal system to keep women safe cannot be over-emphasised. The tragic reality is that women are paying the ultimate price of their lives", Ms Martin added.

Women's Aid has highlighted this issue to mark International Day Against Violence Against Women (November 25). This is the first day of the Global 16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women campaign, which runs until December 10, International Human Rights Day.

If you would like to contact the Women's Aid helpline, call 1800 341 900.

Women's Aid is a feminist, political and campaigning organisation committed to the elimination of violence and abuse of women through effecting political, cultural and social change. Women's Aid provides direct support services to women experiencing male violence and abuse. This work underpins and informs all other goals and actions of the organisation.

For more info – http://www.womensaid.ie