The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

27 11 2023

The annual campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence has started, and runs from November 25, when International Day against Violence Against Women is celebrated, to December 10, when International Human Rights Day is held. The two dates are symbolically related – violence against women is a violation of human rights.

In this regard we would like to recall and disseminate the information about the ‘Signal for help’ developed by the Canadian Women’s Foundation. This single-handed gesture can be shown in an emergency. It indicates that someone is a victim of violence and calls for help. The signal is performed by holding one hand up with the thumb tucked into the palm, then folding the four other fingers down, symbolically trapping the thumb by the rest of the fingers. The international ‘signal for help’ when spotted and properly read, can save a life or health.

 

What to do when we receive the ‘signal for help’?

If we notice that someone is showing us the signal, we should intervene immediately, but discreetly, as the perpetrator might be near the person calling for help.

It is best to call the emergency number 112. You can also contact domestic violence support organizations:

• Blue Line 22 668-7000
• Women’s Rights Center 600-07-07-17
• Feminoteka 888-88-33-88

There is no place for violence against women, as well as any form of discrimination at the University of Warsaw. We encourage all members of the academic community to report any cases of misconduct, unfair or harmful behavior.

Contact to:

Ombudsman>> ombudsman.uw.edu.pl

Anti-discrimination Coordinator>>koordynator-antydyskryminacja@uw.edu.pl

Source:

graphics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_for_Help#/media/File:Signal_for_Help_gestures.png

video: https://youtu.be/nUJV-9wvdB8