Institute of non-violence

🧘🏽♀️ Remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup 🧘🏽♀️ With the #16DaysOfActivism wrapping up yesterday, it’s crucial to prioritise self-care. ✨ Here are three self-care tips for activists and allies working to end gender-based violence and on matters of justice and peace: 🚧 Set Boundaries: It’s okay to take a step back when needed. Regularly set time aside to disconnect and recharge, so you can return to the work with renewed energy. 🫂 Stay Connected with Support Networks: Lean on friends, family, or support groups who understand the emotional demands of this work. Sharing your experiences with trusted people can be incredibly grounding. 🌱 Engage in Mindful/Spiritual Practices: Practices like deep breathing, journaling, or even a daily walk can help manage stress and maintain mental clarity. These small moments of mindfulness and inner connection can make a big difference in staying resilient. 🧡✊🏽 Taking care of yourself isn’t just love, it’s essential to sustaining the fight for change. Vikki Reynolds #Insituteofnon-violence #IoNV #16DaysOfActivism #EndGenderBasedViolence #SelfCareForActivists #AdvocacyMatters #WellnessAndResilience #VikkiReynolds #AvoidBurnout

🌟 Honouring Mandela’s Life and Legacy🌟 🧡 As an organisation dedicated to non-violence, we want to use today to reflect on the life of Nelson Mandela (Madiba) and his lifelong commitment to peace, justice and equality. Mandela’s legacy reminds us that true change can be achieved through resilience, empathy, and the power of a non-violent perspective. ✊🏽 From his early years as an activist to his 27-year imprisonment and eventual presidency, Mandela's life was defined by his commitment to justice and dismantling South Africa’s apartheid system. His belief in non-violence as a form of resistance was core to his anti-apartheid activism, efforts towards racial reconciliation, and advocacy for peace. ☮️ Mandela’s ultimate testament of character comes from his ability to remain non-violent in the face of aggressive acts of violence, a lesson he continually shared with others. He urges us to choose a path of progress over regression and understand that lasting peace is only possible when we learn to transcend anger and hate. 🏆 For Mandela, regressive actions only deepen divides, while progressive behaviour brings people closer to unity and healing. A deserved winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, Mandela asks us to look beyond hate and embrace non-violence as the answer to peace and bringing about change. “Courage is not the absence of fear - it is inspiring others to move beyond it’ - Nelson Mandela 💙 Join us at IoNV in taking on this spirit of non-violence and embodying Mandela’s vision of a world where justice, unity and courage are at the core of everything that we do. #MandelaLegacy #RiseAboveViolence #NelsonMandela #Nonviolence #PeacefulResistance #Instituteofnonviolence #IoNV #SouthAfricaApartheid #EmbracingPeace #16Days #16daysofactivism

🎉 Today marks 4 years since we launched the Institute of non-violence (#IoNV), a milestone that intentionally coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women #EVAW and the start of the #16DaysOfActivism. 🧡 This connection reflects our commitment to tackling one of the most widespread and devastating human rights violations in the world—violence against women and girls. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. This crisis has grown in complexity, extending into workplaces, online spaces, and intensifying during conflicts and environmental challenges. 💪🏾 The path to change lies in perpetrators of violence being accountable and brave in making behavioural changes; and in prioritising well-funded, national strategies that adequately create opportunities for non-violence. At IoNV, we are honoured to be part of this critical work, alongside so many dedicated individuals and organisations striving for the same goal. 🫂 We are incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved in these 4 years, and we couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of our team—past and present—our collaborators, clients, and the community members who’ve walked this journey with us. 🕊️As we enter our 5th year, we do so with renewed passion and commitment to creating a world where non-violence is the social norm. 🖤💛❤️ We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands, airways and waterways on which we work and live, paying our respects to Elders past and present. We are guided by their wisdom and ask for their blessings as we continue this vital work. ✊🏽 Here’s to making a difference together! #Instituteofnonviolence #IoNV #16Days #16DaysOfActivism #SocialChange #birthday #anniversary

 🕊️Peace, Justice, and non-violence: A Timeless Commitment🕊️ ✊🏽 Peace and justice aren’t fleeting ideals; they’re powerful forces that have always existed, even in the darkest times. True non-violence is not passive—it’s an active, courageous resistance to violence and a bold stand for justice. When we choose non-violence, we choose solidarity with peace, resilience in the face of hardship, and a commitment to justice that withstands all opposition. ✨ Even in the face of some of the world’s most profound challenges— violence against women and children, military occupation and colonial projects, and systemic injustices faced by Indigenous peoples—hope endures. Across the globe, there are countless places, people, and moments where peace and compassion shine brightly. While conflict and violence may sometimes dim the flame of peace, it can never extinguish it. 🌍 In every act of kindness, every effort to protect the earth, and every community standing together for justice, peace is alive. It’s found in our shared commitment to creating a better world and in the resilience of those who refuse to let violence and inequality define our future. 🧡 Together, let’s honour and continue to activate the everlasting nature of peace and justice. Let’s carry forward the legacy of non-violence as an unbreakable commitment to a world where every life is valued and every voice is heard. #NonViolence #PeaceAndJustice #ActiveResistance #SolidarityWithPeace #EndViolence #HopeInDarkTimes #GlobalSolidarity #InstituteofNonViolence #IoNV #16Days #16daysofactivism

🤍 Commemorating: Mahatma Gandhi 🤍 🌟 In many ways, Gandhi has been a global beacon of peace and non-violence. A source of inspiration for many. We want to take an opportunity to reflect on Gandhi’s philosophy for life and how we can embrace non-violence. 📝 For Gandhi, non-violent resistance is one of the most powerful forces for change. His peaceful protests against British rule, especially the Dandi March of 1930, embodies his belief in ‘satyagraha’ or the power of non-violence to confront oppression. However, non-violence goes beyond politics for Gandhi, also observing it as a way of life, grounded in his belief that peace can only be achieved through peaceful means. “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction” - Mahatma Gandhi 🌎 Gandhi’s belief in non-violence continues to inspire movements around the world, including current resistance and resilience in Palestine, civil rights in the United States, and Mandela’s struggle against apartheid in South Africa. As an inspiration to so many leaders, there is a clear universal appeal of non-violence as an instrument of resistance and reform. 💙 Today we honour the legacy of Gandhi and his profound contributions to humanity. We acknowledge that he was not perfect. Ghandi was not a feminist and did not challenge patriarchal dominance over women. He said and did many harmful things, as we all do. His teaching - that peace is achievable through non-violent action - is a powerful message to take with us, both as a way of life and in building a more harmonious world. We honour his achievements and take learnings from his shortcomings to inspire our own efforts in creating a non-violent world ✊🏾🧡 #MahatmaGandhi #Gandhi #Satyagraha #Nonviolence #Instituteofnonviolence #IoNV #Resistance #Harmony #Embracingnonviolence #GandhisLessons

✨ On November 19, we observe International Men's Day, a time to honour the positive contributions of men and boys to our communities. 💪🏾 This year's theme, "Positive Male Role Models," emphasises the crucial role that men play in shaping a healthier society. 👨👧👦 Positive male role models are essential in guiding children and young people toward constructive behaviours and attitudes. They demonstrate integrity, empathy, and respect, providing a blueprint for the next generation to emulate. Research from Worcester University indicates that children with positive male figures in their lives are more likely to develop strong social skills, perform better academically, and exhibit higher self-esteem. ⚠️ Conversely, the absence of such role models can lead to adverse outcomes, including increased susceptibility to negative influences and behavioural issues. By promoting and celebrating positive male role models, we can counteract the effects of toxic masculinity and gender-based violence, fostering safer and more harmonious communities. ➡️ Read more about the research here: https://lnkd.in/gCugirgR 🙌🏼 Let's take this opportunity to recognise the men who inspire us daily and commit to nurturing a culture that values and supports healthy expressions of masculinity. #InternationalMensDay #PositiveRoleModels #HealthyMasculinity #CelebrateMen #Instituteofnon-violence #IoNV 

🎥 CEO Insights: More on the complexities of identifying relationship abuse 🎥 🎙 In today’s segment of CEO Insights, CEO and Founder, Hala A., continues to explore how complicated it can be to identify intimate partner violence, and indeed, how difficult it is to identify ourselves as abusive. 💙 Family violence is incredibly nuanced, characterised by its power imbalances, use of control, and subtle forms of manipulation and abuse. Often, abuse will begin at a small scale and escalate into more serious behaviour. In most cases, the person using abuse may not even be fully aware of the extent of their actions and the impacts it's having. 💭 While it is difficult to recognise violence, Hala suggests one way to assess whether a person is not hearing or respecting a boundary, often leading to further violence. She encourages people to ask for a need to be met or respected e.g. not yelling in arguments. If the person responds with aggression, makes excuses, or ignores it and continues to use the same behaviour, then it is likely that the relationship is not healthy and may escalate further. 📽 Watch the clip and follow Institute of non-violence for more videos in our CEO Insights series about identifying partner abuse. #CEOInsights #FamilyViolenceHomicides #FamilyViolence #FDSV #IntimatePartnerViolence #IoNV #Instituteofnonviolence #FamilyViolencePrevention #IPV #IdentifyingFV #RedFlags

💪🏾 Empowerment in Action: The Suffrage Movement 💪🏾 🌍 As we reflect on the year, it's crucial to honour the triumphs of those who fought for justice and equality, even when the odds seemed insurmountable. The suffrage movement is a powerful reminder of humanity’s ability to bring about positive change through courage and perseverance. 🔊 While the early suffrage movement was primarily based in the U.S., UK, and parts of Europe—and predominantly led by white women—it set in motion a powerful movement for women's rights that has grown into a global call for equality. 🗳️ From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, women and allies came together across these regions to demand revolutionary rights: the right to vote, the ability to enter government, work, drive, and own property. Although this movement didn’t dismantle all forms of oppression, it marked a significant challenge to patriarchal dominance, which contributed to the foundation for modern feminism. 💡 The suffrage movement underscores that oppression is not inevitable—it’s a system that can and must be dismantled. These advocates chose resilience over resignation, proving that societies can evolve and that justice is worth fighting for. However, as we celebrate their wins, we also recognise the importance of expanding this legacy to be truly inclusive. ✨ Today, we embrace an intersectional feminism that acknowledges and challenges multiple systems of oppression alongside patriarchy, including white supremacy and racial injustice. We celebrate a global feminism that lifts the voices and representation of women from all cultural backgrounds, honouring the diversity and strength of women worldwide. #SuffrageMovement #GoodNewsStory #ChooseEquality #Empowerment #EndOfYearReflection #LegacyOfChange #Instituteofnon-violence #IoNV 

💗🤍💙 Transgender Awareness Week 💙🤍💗 🗓 This week is an international celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising the experiences of trans and gender-diverse people, as well as their achievements. 🌟 At IoNV, we recognise the importance of inclusivity, diversity and feelings of belonging for everyone and urge people to acknowledge that respect and safety are basic human rights that must be extended to everyone regardless of their gender identity. 🕊 It is also crucial to recognise that this week concludes with a day of solidarity to commemorate trans lives lost to acts of violence and abuse. Trans people are especially vulnerable to harm, making it vital that we fight for trans inclusion and educate ourselves and those around us. 💙 Join IoNV this week in increasing visibility, celebrating resilience, and amplifying the voices of the trans community. #TransgenderAwarenessWeek #TransRights #Inclusion #Diversity #Instituteofnonviolence #IoNV #TransLivesMatter

 🌹 Remembrance Day 🌹 Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. Remembrance Day is a powerful reminder to create a world where non-violence is the social norm. ☮️ Today prompts us to reflect on the consequences of violence and war, looking to the need for everlasting peace. We recognise that the pursuit of peace is not passive, requiring strength, courage, and the rejection of violence as a means to an end. 💸 We recognise that nation state leaders, working with corporate giants stand to profit immensely from war; and in doing so, they repeatedly exploit society's most marginalised and vulnerable, to join their armies and fight in their conflicts, from which only they stand to benefit. We point out the gaslighting and abuse enacted via mass propaganda that "sells" the idea of war to citizens worldwide. We highlight that PTSD and complex trauma have come to be understood from psychological studies with returning soldiers. These individuals often project that trauma onto their families creating cycles of intergenerational trauma. ⚠️ We acknowledge, too, the amount of war crimes that many soldiers have committed resulting from the propaganda they were indoctrinated with, particularly those represented the "Global North" (rich wh*te nations), fighting oppressive wars against the "Global South" (poorer Blak nations). These war crimes cause everlasting psychological damage to the soldiers and the victims of their attacks. 🕊 #IoNV dedicates this post to all innocent lives lost and those who are currently under military oppression, particularly in Palestine (including innocent Israeli lives lost), Lebanon, Sudan and South Sudan, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, Russia, Myanmar, Somalia, Syria, Ethiopia, Libya and Mali. 🧡 Lest we forget that every single life matters 🧡 #NeverAgainForAnyone #EndAllWars #EndOppression #ViolenceFree #BlackLivesMatter #Remembrance2024 #NonViolence #EndGenocide #UDHR #HumanRightsForAll #UpholdInternationalLaw