A collection of “Join the Chorus” resources designed to prevent domestic and sexual violence, including a public service message, will be launched at a special event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 20 September.
2.30pm BST / 9.30am EST, 20 September
A collection of “Join the Chorus” resources designed to prevent domestic and sexual violence, including a public service message, will be launched at a special event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 20 September.
Developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat and The NO MORE Foundation, in collaboration with GentleForces (a global creative impact company), the resources are part of the Commonwealth Says NO MORE campaign, which was launched last year in response to the alarming spike in cases of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The public service message draws together diverse Commonwealth voices, including FKA twigs, Joselyn Dumas, Mahira Khan, Rose Byrne and Thandiwe Newton, with an aim to prevent domestic and sexual violence through collective power, empowering everyone: bystander, doctor, teacher, neighbour, leader and colleague to help and intervene with solidarity and support.
A hidden epidemic
Pre-pandemic evidence revealed that one in three women experienced physical and/or sexual violence within their lifetime. The widespread consequences of the pandemic have exacerbated these already worrying figures, with some countries reporting up to a 300 per cent increase in distress calls to domestic violence helplines and higher rates of domestic homicide.
Aside from the prevention resources, event participants, including representatives of governments, development agencies, civil society, women’s rights organisations and youth-led groups, will further weigh in on the development of a toolkit, which aims to support governments in implementing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5) for gender equality.
The Commonwealth Says NO MORE campaign is part of the partnership between the Secretariat and the NO MORE Foundation.
Registration & more information
- For further information related to the virtual event, please email Kemi Ogunsanya and Melissa Morbeck.
- For media enquiries, please email Snober Abbasi.
- Register for the virtual event (2.30pm BST / 9.30am BST on 20 September)
- For any registration-related enquiries, please contact Chinazo Ukaejio.
