INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 25th November 2016 Thank you for signing up to Chai Day. We’re so glad that you’re joining us.
Thank you for taking part in Chai Day. We’re delighted you’re joining us! Globally 1 in 3 women and girls experience some form of physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. In some countries, this type of abuse is endured by up to seven in ten women. These statistics are an appalling reality. If we want to end violence against women and girls, we need to be part of the solution by becoming engaged and taking action. Chai Day is an opportunity to participate in the global movement to stop the violence, so our daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts, nieces, wives and friends across the world are valued, safe and empowered. Thank you for joining us on Chai Day - Together we can make change! Love,
Annie Lennox
Founder of The Circle (an organisation of women empowering women)
Chai Day is all about getting together with friends and family over a cup of chai (or other hot drink, but do give chai a go!) and some delicious snacks. It is also all about raising as much money as possible for projects supporting the end of violence against women and raising awareness of the issue.
INGREDIENTS FOR A PERFECT CHAI DAY Pick a date and time. The official Chai Day is 25th November, 2016, but you can pick another date if that is more convenient. Send out your invitations once you’ve decided when and where to hold your Chai Day. It’s time to let people know about it.
Celebrate your Chai Day – this is the fun bit. Get together with your friends and colleagues to support women around the world. Pay in the money you’ve raised to help end violence against women and girls around the world.
WHY HOLD A CHAI DAY?
25th November 2016 International Day to End Violence Against Women. Here are some shocking statistics on why we need a day of action: Thirty five percent of women and girls globally experience some form of physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. In some countries this abuse is faced by up to seven in ten women. Female genital mutilation/cutting is widespread in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East. An estimated 133 million girls and women have been affected by this practice in these countries.
More than 700 million women alive today were married as children – 250 million of them before the age of 15. Girls who marry before the age of 18 are less likely to complete their education, and more likely to experience domestic violence and complications in childbirth. The consequences of violence against women and girls last for generations Search ‘UN Infographic: Violence against women’ for more information.
We are raising money and awareness for UK and international organisations who support women and girls to deal with the effects of violence, and who campaign for the end of violence against women. The organisations include the Coalition to End Violence Against Women, Oxfam and the Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre.
QUICK WINS Whatever the size of your Chai Day, there are some easy things you can do to raise as much money as possible.
Donations at the door Put a donation box by the entrance so that your guests can make a donation as they arrive or as they leave.
Price your snacks You can either ask people to give a donation for each snack that they eat, or price things individually
Fun and games A raffle is a good way to raise more funds. If you are holding a Chai Day for your friends, why not collect baby photos, and charge an entry fee for a ‘guess who’ competition.
Make some noise Do something wonderful like baking a truly giant cake, and notify your local newspaper. You can then use the cake as a raffle prize.
Hold your own bake off competition Get your guests cooking and baking. Ask bakers to donate to take part, and tasters to make a donation to taste the competition entries.
Cake decorating competition Get your guests to decorate cakes or biscuits. Ask them to pay to take part, and to donate to take home the ones that they like.
Ask your company to match what you raise Many companies offer a matched giving scheme, so make sure you check if you can take advantage of this to double the amount you raise.
WHERE IT ALL STARTED
On 29th February 2016, The Asian Circle, a collective of members of The Circle, decided to use the extra day provided by the leap year in a meaningful way. They created and organised the first Chai Day, deciding to raise money and awareness to support Oxfam India’s work with Adivasi Women in Chhattisgargh and Odisha, East India. The day was a great success. Now we want to harness the power of The Circle to build on this success, raising awareness of the issue of violence against women and girls around the world, and raising funds to support under resourced projects working to tackle this issue.
After your Chai Day Sending in your money All good things come to an end. Once you’ve tidied up and cleared away the cups, count up the money you’ve raised and pay it in via www.chaiday.org
If you require support to deal with any of the issues we are raising awareness of, please contact a local or national service.
Thank you Thank you so much for organising a Chai Day. The money you’ve raised will help vulnerable women to overcome the risk and impact of violence. Every penny helps towards this vital work. You are amazing!
Photo: Oxfam India
Photo: Rachel Mann
Photo: Oxfam India
he Circle of Women, known as The Circle, is a registered charity in England & Wales (1160293) and Scotland (SCO46315) and a registered T company limited by guarantee (08993335), Registered Address: Merchant House, 30 Cloth Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1EE