CAT BARKHAM, TEACHER OF HISTORY

This is an abridged version of a presentation delivered by Mrs Barkham in Chapel on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 November, to mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Pause for a moment and think about the women in your life—your mum, sisters, teachers, or others. Picture them. Now imagine if all those women went on strike for 24 hours: no cooking, no lessons, no lifts, no messages answered. What if every woman in this assembly did the same? What about 90% of women across the country? What would happen? Could women collectively do this? Let’s reflect on the value of women’s contributions in our lives.

These women did. Such action might seem unlikely but this indeed did happen in Iceland on 24th October, 1975. The women of Iceland, frustrated at lack of respect, equality and legislation to protect their rights decided it was time for a national “day off” to show the men in power and in their lives that they matter. Their absence from society matters.

In 1975, 25,000 Icelandic women protested, halting society in a nation of 250,000. Ready-meals sold out as men scrambled to manage childcare and work, causing many workplaces to close. The protest spurred new gender laws, and in 1980 Vigdis Finnbogadottir became Europe’s first female president and the world’s first democratically elected female head of state. Iceland, now known as "the world's most feminist country," demonstrates that action drives meaningful change.

On November 25, 1960, Dominican sisters Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal were murdered for opposing dictator Rafael Trujillo, whose brutal 31-year regime included the sexual exploitation of young girls. The sisters campaigned courageously, distributing leaflets to expose Trujillo's abuse. Their deaths sparked outrage, and surviving sister Dede continued their fight. In 1999, the UN declared November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Despite progress, violence against women persists. In 2024, this day remains crucial to advocate for a world free of fear and violence for all women and girls.

Every 10 minutes, a woman dies due to gender-based violence, with 51,000 murdered by partners or family in 2023 alone. Globally, 1 in 3 women face violence or harassment in their lifetime. Violence against women often goes unreported due to stigma, shame, and silence surrounding the issue.

What exactly is gender-based violence, or violence against women and girls (VAWG)?

It can manifest in many different forms; here are some examples:

• partner violence such as coercive control
• sexual violence and harassment such as rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking and cyber- harassment
• human trafficking such as slavery, sexual exploitation
• female genital mutilation and
• child marriage.

Last month, Amnesty International reported Iraqi lawmakers debated lowering the marriage age to 9 and removing divorced women’s rights. Current laws fail to criminalize marital rape and allow “honour” as a mitigating factor in femicides. Amnesty urges Iraq to reform these laws, highlighting the continued need for this vital international day.

So, what can we do? We are not world leaders. However, we can start to make small changes that can have a significant impact. Violence against women and girls can often can start with sexist and misogynist language, gender-based microaggressions and failing to stand up for injustice when we see and hear it. All of these actions devalue women and girls and can act as a gateway to more aggressive, sometimes fatal acts of violence.

Next term, I hope many of you will join the Feminist Society to discuss these matters further and take action. 

Vigdis, the first democratically elected female head of state, reminds us of an Icelandic saying: "The steps so quickly fill up with snow," meaning events can be forgotten. Let the rights, safety, and happiness of women and girls never be buried. Be the change you wish to see and always stand up for your sisters.