Campaign against violence: Bread bags help women in the district!

Campaign against violence: Bread bags help women in the district!

In the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district, an important campaign entitled “I don't care about violence” will be launched from November 25, 2024. On the occasion of the International Day “NO – to violence against women and girls”, special roll bags will be available in participating bakeries from this date. These bags are not only filled with brownish dough, but also with information and emergency numbers for affected women and girls. The initiative aims to raise awareness of violence against women and to offer help to those affected, according to the motto: “There is something going on!”

A total of 25,000 bags will be distributed in the district, while around 500,000 copies will be circulated throughout Middle Franconia. Bakeries taking part in the campaign include the Lechner bakery in Dittenheim, the Specht bakery in Ellingen and the Backhäusle in Haundorf. This joint turnover connects many craft businesses in an important social mission.

Facts about violence against women

But the background is shocking: According to the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, one in three women will be the victim of physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their life. In 2023, the number of domestic violence cases increased by 6.5 percent, with around 70 percent of the victims being women. A total of 331 people lost their lives due to domestic violence in the same year, with over 80 percent of those fatalities being female. Such figures are alarming and show that violence against women is a complex and socially rooted problem.

The various forms of violence - whether physical, psychological or in the form of stalking and bullying - often take place in the closest relationships. In Germany, around 181,000 of the 256,000 victims of domestic violence were recorded as female in 2023. However, the willingness to report is often influenced by shame and social values, which means that many crimes remain in the dark. Even when it comes to sexual crimes, women are almost always the victims; Women account for 92 percent of crimes against sexual self-determination. The same trends can also be seen in cases of intimate partner violence, where 79 percent of the victims were women.

Measures and prevention

In order to meet these challenges, concrete measures are necessary. Prevention, victim protection and coordinated criminal prosecution are crucial aspects in the fight against violence against women. Studies show that specialized courts increase victims' willingness to report domestic violence and cooperate with the police. There needs to be an open and supportive approach that makes it easier for those affected to seek help. It is often independent advice centers that can break down barriers to accessing support.

Planned events around International Use of Violence Day provide additional opportunities to raise awareness. For example, on November 27th, 2024 there will be an information stand at the market square in Weißenburg, while on November 26th, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. the film “Tomorrow is Another Day” will be shown in the “Movieworld” cinema in Gunzenhausen. Before that, a “meet and greet” will take place in the cinema lobby from 7:00 p.m. In addition, a lecture by Martina Baues, political scientist and historian, on the subject of violence against women will be offered on November 29th at the vhs education center in Gunzenhausen. Anyone interested can register at www.vhs-gunzenhausen.de.

The work and initiatives in our district are an important step towards taking the issue of violence against women out of the taboo zone and actively fighting against these social injustices. Solidarity and awareness are essential because “violence is not acceptable” – and that must be clear to everyone.