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Delivering Equally Safe (DES) supports 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with report launch.

Monday 25 November, Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart marked the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence by sharing Delivering Equally Safe’s latest six month Impact Report at a visit to funded project Monklands Women’s Aid.

Monklands Women’s Aid supported 331 women and 109 children and young people in the six month period through a range of interventions such as one to one support, group work and advocacy.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: 

“Preventing violence against women and girls is key to creating a society where women and girls can live safely. I am proud to be supporting the 16 Days of Activism campaign to tackle and prevent violence against women and girls.

“Thanks to organisations supported by our Delivering Equally Safe fund, workshops supporting young people to understand consent, healthy relationships and the signs of abusive behaviour have reached more than 27,000 young people.

“In the two years since Delivering Equally Safe started, nearly 17,000 children and young people have engaged in frontline funded support. Among the organisations providing frontline support is Monklands Women’s Aid, whose work to address both traditional and emerging forms of violence against women and girls is vital and innovative.”

Monklands Women’s Aid Chairperson, Christine Buckel said: “Grassroots organisations like Monkland’s Women’s Aid are the backbone of community support for those facing the trauma of domestic abuse. Our integrated approach ensures women, children, and young people receive tailored support when they need it most. Most importantly, we listen to and respond to those we serve, ensuring that their voices shape the services that make a real difference in their lives.”

“The Delivering Equally Safe programme fund provides vital funding that enabled the organisation to deliver frontline domestic abuse interventions to 1,571 people since October 2021.”

The Delivering Equally Safe (DES) Report: October 2023- March 2024 highlights the significant efforts of DES funded projects in supporting survivors of gender-based violence across Scotland. Key findings of the report include:

The 120 DES funded organisations have supported 67,004 adults, children and young people.

• Frontline support for over 21,065 individuals, providing essential 1-1 support, counselling and group work for adults, children and young people affected by gender based violence.

• Preventative education and awareness activities, reaching over 40,000 people with sessions for children and young people promoting safe and respectful relationships.

• Approaches to address complex challenges, such as mental health issues, housing crises, and school non-attendance among young survivors, through innovative, trauma-informed approaches.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual, global campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It is used by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.