The recent International Day for The Elimination of Violence Against Women was marked locally by the chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Thomas O'Reilly at a chairman's reception for groups, including Fermanagh Women's Aid, who work to protect women (and children) at risk from domestic and other forms of violence.
The UN General Assembly HAS designated 25 November as the "International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women", and invited Governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to organise, on this day, activities to raise public awareness on the problem.
"This reception addresses this call", Mr O'Reilly stated, and he recalled that the UN Secretary General had stated that violence against women continued to persist as 'one of the most heinous, systematic and prevalent human rights abuses in the world'. Women's activist groups have been marking 25 November as a day against violence since 1981.
"Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions", he said. " At least one of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime – with the abuser usually someone known to her."
He said statistics painted a horrifying picture of the social and health consequences of violence against women. For women aged 15 to 44 years, violence was a major cause of death and disability.
A spokeswoman for Fermanagh Women's Aid said the public must also be aware that, in today's society, violence against women is still a considerable issue.
"Today we acknowledge this and call on all to help stamp out this evil. Fermanagh Women's Aid exists to provide a quality environment and empathetic response, which enables women, children and young people, affected by all forms of domestic violence to be safe and supported.
It seeks, in collaborative partnerships with others, and through challenging the beliefs, behaviours and practices that perpetuate domestic violence, to eradicate domestic violence from the community."
From April, 2007 until March, 2008, Fermanagh Women's Aid received 30,966 calls from women and other agencies requesting support and information. Some 436 persons are involved in floating support services, 2,266 home visits were made, there were 69 Court supported visits.
In addition, 63 children directly use the service and 394 home visits were made to these children.
In all, 1,151 pupils have participated in the prevention programme and 86 teachers have been trained.
During the year, 16 women and 11 children were accommodated. But, unfortunately, the organisation was unable to accommodate 23 women and 22 children. Some 103 women attended education courses.
There are currently 11 staff based in the Fermanagh offices and 16 volunteers.
Fermanagh Women's Aid cam be contacted on 028 6632 8898, or people can ring the 24 hour domestic violence helpline on 08009171414.
