The Mothers’ Union in Bolton-le-Sands and nationally are joing the campaign for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which aligns with the organisation’s core mission to make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions worldwide through their unique, faith-based and community-led approach to tackling poverty, injustice and violence. They understand that these challenges are deeply interconnected and as such, their response is holistic, while confronting the systemic causes and consequences of marginalisation and oppression.
The Mothers’ Union is a member-led international movement that has been transforming lives since 1876. They identify that violence and abuse carried out against women and girls solely because of their gender affects them disproportionately and is one of the greatest threats to individuals, families, and societies worldwide.
As part of its ongoing work to end gender-based violence, the Mothers’ Union is committed to:
- Supporting those affected by domestic abuse by assisting individuals and communities practically.
- Encouraging and advocating for change at local, national, and international levels
- Campaigning for legislation that prevents gender-based violence by tackling root causes, including gender inequality and harmful norms and attitudes about gender.
- Calling for all forms of violence against women and girls to be outlawed everywhere.
The Mothers’ Union’s programmes are integrated and designed to bring change through educating and empowering women. These programmes include providing Literacy Education and Savings Groups and Financial Education, which aim to raise women’s social and economic skills to end inequality and poverty. Success from these education programmes includes women reporting a decrease in domestic abuse and more equal, positive relationships in the home.
The organisation also provides practical support for survivors across the world: In Britain & Ireland, members work closely with local domestic violence refuges, providing essential items such as toiletries, food, and clothing for women and children forced to flee violence. They provide emotional support and meet basic needs (like housing) for survivors, particularly those affected by sexual violence due to conflict, such as in the DRC. They also fund counselling for survivors of domestic violence and rape in war-torn countries like Sudan.
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign
The 16 Days of Activism is a global movement led by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to end violence against women and girls. The campaign runs every year, from 25 November to 10 December. During these 16 Days, people across the UK and around the world unite to speak out, stand up, and take action. The goal is to demand a future where every woman and girl can live free from violence and fear. The campaign’s focus on online abuse and digital violence is particularly timely, as digital violence is declared to be spreading at an alarming speed. This includes online harassment, cyberstalking, doxing, deepfakes, and disinformation, which are weaponised to silence, shame, and intimidate women and girls. For example, 1 in 3 women in the UK have experienced online abuse.
Supporting the campaign aligns the Mothers’ Union with calls from groups like UN Women UK and the End Violence Against Women Coalition, who urge:
- Holding perpetrators accountable through better laws and enforcement.
- Robust regulation of tech platforms to remove harmful content quickly and respond to reports of abuse.
- Investing in prevention and culture change through digital literacy and programmes that challenge toxic online cultures.
- Supporting survivors by funding women’s rights organisations and specialist support services.
By supporting the 16 Days of Activism, the Mothers’ Union contributes to the broader effort to challenge the attitudes that normalise abuse and transform the social and political systems that enable violence against women.
