"Heed caution, avoid disregarding the message!"
In the heart of Germany, the city of Düsseldorf is taking a stand against domestic and gender-based violence. The Action Day against Violence against Women, scheduled for November 25th, aims to raise public awareness, foster community commitment, and provide support to victims.
Elisabeth Wilfart, the equal opportunities officer of Düsseldorf, has called for solidarity in these trying times. She emphasized that if one feels the need to do something, it is a serious signal to take action. The event will feature a variety of activities, including educational workshops, public demonstrations, and cooperation with institutions and NGOs dealing with victims' assistance and violence prevention.
One such event is "Anna speaks...," a literary representation of a fictional female biography. Organized by the women's support facilities and the central library, the event will include a greeting from the mayor, Dr. Stephan Keller, and a foreword from Elisabeth Wilfart herself. Interested parties can find more information about "Anna speaks..." at www.frauenberatungsstelle.de/.
The equal opportunities office of Düsseldorf has also conducted a photo action based on the campaign "Every 3rd Woman" of the nationwide helpline "Violence against Women." The photos will be published on the Facebook page of the equal opportunities office (www.facebook.com/gleichstellungdus/) on November 25th. The campaign aims to highlight the sobering statistic that every third woman in Germany experiences physical and/or sexualized violence at some point in her life.
The nationwide helpline "Violence against Women" has been a free consultation service available in 17 foreign languages since 2013. Its telephone number, 08000116016, will be printed on the action flags that will be hoisted on various municipal buildings in Düsseldorf, such as the town hall, the town hall Benrath, and the town hall Kaiserswerth.
In the current crisis situation, the danger of experiencing domestic or familial and sexualized violence has unfortunately increased. It is therefore crucial for all Düsseldorf residents to remain vigilant and not turn a blind eye to noises from neighboring apartments that might indicate violence.
The Action Day against Violence against Women in Düsseldorf is part of a broader governmental and civil society effort to combat violence against women and provide victim-centered support systems. Initiatives like this day aim to address the alarming rates of violence by mobilizing public attention and creating networks of support for victims.
A video contribution has also been created for the action, which will be published on the Facebook page of the city of Düsseldorf (de-de.facebook.com/duesseldorf/) on November 25th. The photo action involved marking every third seat in various locations, including a tram, an ice rink, and the lower house of the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus, with silhouettes.
Family doctors were also sensitized to the topic of "domestic violence" through an information letter during the first lockdown. This initiative underscores the importance of addressing the issue holistically, involving not just support organizations but also healthcare professionals.
[1] Source: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuell/aktuelles/aktuelles-artikel-detail-view/?aa=1572878
Science can play a crucial role in understanding the psychological and physiological impacts of domestic and gender-based violence on women's health and mental health. Health-and-wellness initiatives can collaborate with the equal opportunities office in Düsseldorf to develop preventative strategies and supportive measures for victims of violence.
Moving forward, it's essential that women's healthcare facilities and the medical community work in tandem to address the intersection of women's health, mental health, and the risks of domestic violence. This integrated approach can help create a more comprehensive support system for victims and ultimately contribute to the broader effort to combat violence against women.
