Campaigns to End Violence against Women and Girls - Virtual ...

� Time the event for maximum attention, e.g. to coincide with anniversaries and
symbolic dates, e.g. International Women’s Day or the 16 Days of Activism. Find out,
e.g. from local authorities, whether any other events are planned on that day that
might distract your event – or help attract extra attention.
� Find out about legal constraints, and complete necessary formalities – in many
countries, demonstrations must be formally announced or permitted by local
authorities, usually the police. There may be other restrictions, e.g. in the UK, NGOs
may lose tax benefits if they engage in certain types of political activity. Unless there
are compelling reasons not to, do complete the formalities so that your campaign
cannot be accused of illegal conduct.
� Inform allies – contact supporters and prominent persons who support your cause
and ask them to join the event – politicians and celebrities may increase your media
coverage.
� Devise slogans, make placards, banners and other colorful displays that convey
your cause and catch attention.
� Advertise for your march or rally with fliers, e-mails, posters. Include the date,
address of the rally or information on the route your march will take, as well as the
starting time. If you want to draw huge crowds, start advertising several months
before the event.
� Inform the media (e-mail a press release and digital photographs of eye-catching
displays or banners). Consider filming your own footage (e.g. by using digital video)
to publicize it via the internet.
� For a march, appoint stewards, i.e. persons who guide participants along the route.
Plan for at least one steward for every 50 participants. Brief them on action in case of
emergencies, e.g. someone getting hurt or conflicts with troublemakers. Stewards
should be easily identifiable, e.g. by wearing bright t-shirts.
� Organize equipment, such as megaphones, public address equipment
(loudspeakers, microphones) and digital cameras as needed.
� Organize finances – budget for the event and control expenses.
� Consider integrating other campaign tools into the demonstration, e.g. collecting email
messages for participants who wish to stay in touch, or signatures for a petition.
Ensure some participants take specific responsibility for these extra tasks and plan
plenty of time for them.
During the demonstration…
� Respect your time-plan so that participants stay enthusiastic.
� As a rule, do not be offensive in your slogans – you might alienate supporters. As
in all societies, there are people who resist “breaking the silence” on violence against
women and girls, you are likely to appear “provocative” to some even if you
communicate in a sensitive manner – be prepared for that.
� Be prepared for challenges from bystanders, including “identity-bating”, i.e.
comments that try to discredit the campaigners as individuals or as a group. Stay
calm and do not get embroiled in a fight; if needed, remind other participants to
remain peaceful.
Vigils
Vigils are silent protest assemblies of people that take place during the normal hours of
sleep and usually last several hours. In a candlelit vigil, participants hold candles. Most
vigils are held to commemorate sad events. For example, candlelit vigils have been
organized in cities where Señorita Extraviada/Missing Young Woman (by Lourdes
Portillo, produced by Independent Television Service Production, USA 2001) was
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Campaigns December 2011