Whitefish Soroptimist joins global campaign against gender-based violence

Soroptimist International of Whitefish recently took part in 16 Days of Activism, an international campaign to raise awareness of gender-based violence. The annual campaign runs from International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Nov. 25, through Dec. 10, Human Rights Day. 

“I think that’s important because women's rights are human rights,” said Diane Yarus, of Whitefish Soroptimist and a member of its Human Trafficking Committee. “Those 16 days give the world an opportunity to focus on this and look at all the new ways that might be influencing gender violence. 

“The intimidation, bullying and violence that’s happening virtually is of concern and is one of those things we need to stay on top of annually and share in that commitment as part of a global community to support women and girls,” she added. 

According to UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, nearly 1 in 3 women experience violence in their lifetime, with girls at particular risk. One in four adolescent girls are abused by their partners. 

Further, in 2023, a woman was killed by her partner or a family member every 10 minutes.  

The Whitefish club joined the campaign to raise awareness of gender-based violence this year by placing six orange silhouettes in front of cooperating businesses for 16 days. Each cutout included information and a QR code that connects to the UN Women website for more information.   

Whitefish Soroptimist volunteers operate the Thrift Haus at 303 First St. in Whitefish as a fundraiser for programs and philanthropic giving. 

Often, 16 Days of Activism has a theme that the local club will follow. 

Whitefish Soroptimists became involved with the 16 Days of Activism for the first time nine years ago when the theme was “Orange the World.” The Thrift Haus joined iconic structures like the pyramids and Big Ben, by being lighted in orange, the color chosen to represent the cause, for the duration of the event. 

“This year we focused on some of the tactics that are used to make women vulnerable and less able to respond on their own, like intimidation and harassment," Yarus said. “What does that mean and how does that enable a person to take advantage or exploit another person, in this case, violence against women.” 

She said that, as an international women's organization looking at empowering women, these tactics are a key element of what keeps women down and unable to fulfill their full potential. 

Each of six such tactics are on the orange silhouettes of women around town. 

“Staying in touch with the global community on this and to say, even if there are strides made in one place, there are still areas in others,” Yarus said. “We need to keep up the effort, keep up the work and keep up the activism.” 

For more information about 16 Days of Activism visit www.unwomen.org.