The 16 Days of Activism against Violence towards Women and Children is a fantastic initiative. It’s a time when people come together to talk about the serious problem of abuse and how it affects lives. It raises awareness and gets everyone thinking about how to make a difference.
But here’s the thing: as important as these campaigns are, they don’t actually stop the violence. Talking about the problem is good, but it doesn’t scare off abusers or protect victims. To really make a change, we need two things: tougher consequences for offenders and practical ways to empower victims—like teaching them realistic self-defense skills.
Why Campaigns Aren’t Enough
Raising awareness is a big step, but it’s not the solution. Think about it: does someone who’s already violent suddenly stop because they saw a poster or a social media post? Not likely. Here’s why:
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Abusers Aren’t Afraid: Many offenders know they can get away with it. Even if they’re caught, the punishment is often too lenient to really make them think twice.
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The System is Slow: Reporting abuse is tough for victims, and even when they do, the process can take forever. Many victims feel like nothing really changes.
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Awareness Doesn’t Equal Action: Victims might feel seen during these campaigns, but they’re often left asking, “What now?” Without practical tools or support, they’re still vulnerable.
The Power of Tougher Punishments
If we’re serious about stopping violence, we need to make sure abusers face real consequences. Right now, the penalties for hurting women and children are often too light, and that sends the wrong message.
- Make Them Think Twice: If offenders know they’ll face harsh punishments, they’re more likely to think twice before acting.
- Justice for Victims: Survivors deserve to see their abusers held accountable. It gives them a sense of closure and shows society takes their pain seriously.
Countries with strict laws against abuse have shown that tougher penalties can actually lower the rates of violence.
Empowering Victims with Self-Defense
While stricter punishments deal with offenders, we also need to focus on helping victims protect themselves. One of the best ways to do that is through self-defense training. And no, this isn’t about turning people into martial arts experts—it’s about giving them realistic tools to stay safe.
- Stay Aware: Self-defense teaches you how to spot danger and avoid it before things go wrong.
- Feel Stronger: Learning to defend yourself builds confidence. Victims often feel powerless, but self-defense helps them regain control.
- Handle an Attack: If the worst happens, self-defense gives you practical ways to escape or fight back effectively.
This isn’t about promoting violence—it’s about survival. When women and children know how to protect themselves, they feel safer and more in control.
What We Really Need
The 16 Days of Activism is a good start, but we need more than conversations. Real change requires action, like:
- Harsher punishments for abusers, so they face real consequences.
- Empowerment programs that teach victims skills to protect themselves and build their confidence.
- Community involvement to challenge harmful attitudes and support survivors.
Let’s Move from Talk to Action
Talking about violence is important, but it’s not enough. To stop abuse, we need to make it clear that violence has serious consequences and ensure that victims have the tools they need to stay safe. Awareness campaigns like the 16 Days of Activism are a great starting point, but if we want real change, we need to back them up with action.
Tougher laws and self-defense training aren’t just ideas—they’re the tools that will actually make a difference.
