November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and also marks the beginning of the UN-sponsored “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.” U.S. Embassy Warsaw is actively participating in the “16 Days of Activism” by raising awareness of the problem through a series of profiles of individuals and institutions actively working against gender-based violence in Poland. 

NEWW Director, Malgorzata Tarasiewicz was invited to participate in the US Embassy commemoration of the 16 Days campaign  - http://poland.usembassy.gov/embassy-events/malgorzata-tarasiewicz/

The final day, December 10, is also the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Secretary Rice has initiated a call to action to all United States embassies, urging action against this pervasive problem.

U.S. Embassy Warsaw is actively participating in the “16 Days of Activism” by raising awareness of the problem through a series of profiles of individuals and institutions actively working against gender-based violence in Poland. 

The problem of gender-based violence in Poland is being addressed on a variety of fronts, including by the national government, NGOs leaders, law enforcement officials, artists, and academics. Although it is not possible to recognize all of the contributions to the elimination of violence against women in Poland, the US Embassy has invited a diverse slice of the individuals and institutions involved to answer the following five questions.

How has life for women in Poland changed over the last 20 years?

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Polish women today?

What is your organization’s main goal, and how are you working to achieve it?

What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of, and what do you still hope to accomplish? If you could change one thing about Polish society, what would it be?

More information on the efforts worldwide to combat violence against women is available on the websites below:

 UNIFEM Campaign "Say NO to Violence Against Women"

www.unifem.org/campaigns/vaw/

UN Popilation Fund www.unfpa.org/16days/index.htm

World Health Organisation www.who.int/gender/violence/sixteendays/en/

Stetament by Secretay Rice www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/11/112058.htm

The Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University is credited for initiating in 1991 the now international "16 Days of Activism" campaign

www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/home.html