Coinciding
with International Women’s Day, UN Women National Committee (NC) Australia has
launched “Leave No Woman Behind” to raise awareness and help people empathise
with the dangers women face in disaster, crisis and conflict settings,
especially under the cover of darkness.
The
pro bono film created by BMF was unveiled at the
International Women’s Day Breakfast held at Sydney’s International Convention
Centre, to encourage attendees to donate to support UN Women’s
life-changing work empowering women around the world.
Janelle
Weissman, executive director at UN Women National Committee Australia
said, “International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 and
it’s the National Committee’s biggest campaign of the year. This year’s theme
‘Leave No Woman Behind’ looks at the impacts that disasters and crises have on
women and girls.
“Disasters
and conflicts discriminate. Women and children are 14 times more likely to die
or be injured in a natural disaster, and in armed conflict, trafficking, child
marriage and other forms of violence against women and girls skyrocket. To
leave no woman behind is to consider the unique needs of women and children in
the wake of emergencies and to include, listen to and respect women’s voices as
leaders and agents of change in planning for and responding to crises. It is
only then that we give whole communities the best chance at recovering
following conflict and disaster.”
BMF
deputy ECD Jen Speirs added: “We hope one woman’s story, told in darkness and
shadows will cast light on the fact something as basic as a solar lantern can
help reduce the risk of sexual abuse, domestic violence and threats to women in
the aftermath of natural disasters. Our donations can help stop these
preventable tragedies from occurring.”