Hollywood Popular Artists

Nov 29th 2012, 22:02

From November 25 (International End Violence Against Women Day) through December 10 (International Human Rights Day), USAID is asking the international community for 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence is any sort of physical, sexual, or psychological abuse of a woman because of her gender, and 1 in 3 women will experience it in her lifetime. Here are a few other facts about gender-based violence, provided by the World Health Organization:

• Gender-based violence encompasses a lot of things -- from mutilation and forced marriage, to domestic abuse and pressured or forced sex.
• Women are often abused by people they know, including family, friends, and significant others.
• In many cultures, gender-based violence stems from the traditional belief that women are inferior to men.
• Between 15% of women in Japan and 71% of women in Ethiopia report physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Gender-based violence affects those experiencing it and those who witness it. Children who grow up in violent families may experience a number of emotional and behavioral problems.

These are few of our fave songs and videos that speak out against gender-based violence:

+ Madonna "Oh Father"

+ Christina Aguilera "Oh Mother"

+ Ludacris ft. Mary J. Blige "Runaway Love"

+ Lyfe Jennings "S.E.X."

So how can you take part in USAID's 16 days of activism? The first step is learning to recognize gender-based violence. It comes in all forms and locations, and no physical, emotional, or sexual abuse should go overlooked. Secondly -- speak out against it! Write a Tweet, share an article, and definitely don't let anything happen to you or somebody you know without seeking help.

Take action below to learn more and take action on a global-level with USAID.

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