E FM uses its voices to campaign against gender-based violence

Friday, 10 December 2010 00:44 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

E FM has once again taken the initiative to campaign against violence against women commemorating 16 Days of Activism from 25 November to 10 December.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign to raise awareness on the negative impact of violence on women as well as to encourage people to take action against abuse.

“We are firmly committed to this advocacy,” explained Ryan Honter, the Executive Director of Colombo Communications Ltd. “For this specific campaign, we are not only raising awareness on the elimination of violence but we feel that prevention and intervention is just as necessary; we empower our audience to speak up and speak out.”

As part of the initiative the station commemorated International Women’s Month earlier this year, which highlighted the issues women in Sri Lanka face, including harassment and abuse.

This time the campaign is based around ‘bystander interventions’ and the station is focused on encouraging its listeners and fans to take action in an incident or situation of violence against women. In line with the 16 Days of Activism, the station used the tag line, ‘Stop. Step In. Speak Out’ against gender-based violence.

“It is simply appropriate to have taken this initiative a step further, as a reflection of our growth and understanding of the issue,” Mark Kross, the Assistant Programming Director of the station, commented. “More important, our listeners would have the chance to interact with us in person regarding this issue as we will be at Crescat for the Holiday Season.”

A ‘Wall of Equality’ will be put up at the E FM Crescat Studio listeners, shoppers, and passersby can post their pledges against gender-based violence, artwork, poems, pictures related to the campaign among others. Listeners can also get the special 16 Days of Activism pamphlet and the new campaign car sticker.

On air and online, listeners and fans are engaged on everyday scenarios depicting violence against women. They are asked to call in, text or post on Facebook their views about what they would do in such scenario.

E FM also launched a series of on-air, on-site, and online promotions to go with the Christmas celebration.

These include: The E FM Cash Splash, The Price is Right, Shopping Blitz, Bonus Cash, and Bingo.

The station will also be having a charity drive aimed at helping the children’s homes and day centres.

“This season, we empower, we entertain, and we endow our listeners with the joy of Christmas,” Honter said.

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