Mothers’ Union members around the world gear up to campaign against domestic violence

On Thursday 21st November 2019 from 10am until noon in the Guildhall Shopping Centre Exeter, on the ground floor, local Mothers’ Union members and supporters are holding a ‘Silent Vigil’ to highlight the issue of domestic abuse in the UK.

The Vigil is part of our local support for the global annual campaign ‘Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence’.

Members and supporters will sit together and hold placards in front of them with powerful messages about aspects of this crime; an issue that few people acknowledge, except victims, perpetrators and those who work in prevention and support. They will be supported by professional people from Splitz Support Service North Devon, who will provide skilled advice to any who request it. We also give out leaflets that list local and national helplines.

Combatting domestic violence is at the heart of what many Mothers’ Union members do around the world – whether it is supporting women with practical help at a local level or lobbying governments for fairer treatment of women marginalised as a result of negative practices.

A highlight on the Mothers’ Union calendar is the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign which takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

“At least one in three women globally will experience some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime. This is one in three too many! We are passionate about doing all we can to eradicate violence against women and men. Action takes all sorts of forms depending on the context of where our members are based. But what is important is that they DO take action,” said Mothers’ Union Chief Executive, Bev Jullien.

ABOUT MOTHERS’ UNION: Mothers’ Union is a movement of four million Christians in 84 countries worldwide. Founded 142 years ago by Mary Sumner, Mothers’ Union is unique because our members work as volunteers in local communities, putting their faith into action by acts great and small, giving individuals in need a helping hand and engaging communities (of all faiths and none) to have the confidence and skills to transform their lives in a sustainable way. Thanks to donations and subscriptions, members, as volunteers, are transforming communities and the lives of families, women and men, through practical grassroots support, empowerment, and by challenging systems that perpetuate injustice at the local, national and international level.

If you would like to find out more about what local Mothers’ Union groups are doing in Devon during the 16 Days of Activism and other activities please contact John Vinton, Trustee for Social Policy, on 01364 643482, or 07442 341989, email vintonj@gmail.com. You may also contact Mothers’ Union headquarters Senior Communications Manager, Sophia Jones on 0207 222 5533, e-mail sophia.jones@mothersunion.org