The YWCA of Darien-Norwalk is participating in “Week Without Violence” from Oct. 13 to 19 and is inviting the community to join the YW as the group holds an event, shares information and stories and advocates with the goal of ending gender-based violence.
— an announcement from YWCA of Darien-Norwalk with additional information from the organization’s website.
The Week Without Violence program is part of a global movement to end violence against women and girls with YWCAs across the country and around the world.
At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally. That’s why, for more than 20 years, YWCA has set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence.
We are hosting a breakfast from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 20 at Tilley Pond Park to thank our participants. All additional details of the fundraiser are on the flier below.
We invite you to join us in taking the 1st step and speaking out against ALL types of gender-based violence. The YWCA is encouraging people to literally take a step, walk, run, bike, swim in support of raising awareness and help put an end to these crimes. Post a selfie of you and your family participating with the #1stepdarien.
Register Here
Ways to Participate:
1) Over the course of the week, pledge to walk/bike/run/swim
- 3 miles – In support of the 1 in 3 women who will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime.
- 4 miles – Supporting the 1 in 4 women who experience domestic violence
- 6 miles – Recognizing the 1 in 6 who have survived attempted or completed sexual assault
- 8 miles – Acknowledging the 8 million days of paid work lost per year because of the effects of violence.
2) Social Media –
- Take a picture of yourself and/or your family participation and post on social media with #1ststepDarien. We encourage you to share your goal and your progress towards your goal each day. To make the pictures even more meanignful, include a sign in your photo (click on the sign below to download)!
- Challenge your friends to participate.
- Share the YWCA social media posts.
3) Ready to to go a step further? We invite you to donate. Proceeds will benefit the work of the Darien Domestic Abuse Council, of which the YWCA Darien/Norwalk is proudly a member. Simply register and choose the donation drop down.
What is Gender-based violence?Gender-based violence means violence that targets individuals or groups of individuals on the basis of their gender. It includes violence committed against women and which is particular to women, such as rape, sexual assault, female circumcision, dowry burning, torture, mutilation, sexual slavery, forced impregnation and murder.
Click here for more information about Gender-Based Violence.
Tread on Trafficking – On Saturday, October 13th, we encourage you to take the 1st Step and participate in Tread on Trafficking. This walk is designed to bring awareness to the horror of human trafficking, one of the many types of gender-based violence. For more information visit their webpage.
