By Julia Smith, General Member
The 16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence is an international call for action to help eradicate violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. It occurs from November 25th (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until December 10th (Human Rights Day).
The 16 days were initially created at the 1991 Women Global Leadership Institute, where it was hoped these days would spread awareness about the hardships so many women and 2SLGBTQI+ people go through every day. According to the World Health Organization, in 2021 alone, approximately 45,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members. Each year, the focus for the 16 days varies. Last year's theme was #endfemicied, which helped to spread awareness of the killing of a woman and girls by men on account of their gender, a pressing issue, particularly in countries where women are regarded as second-class citizens. Over the years, themes have ranged from Generation Equality Stands Against Rape (2019) to How Can YOU Prevent Violence against Women (2015).
This year‘s focus is “Unite! Invest to protect women and girls”.
This theme calls for all members of society to come together not only in support and solidarity but with an open mind eager to implement programming, allocate funding from governments, as well as 3rd party organizations and hear new ideas as to what we can do to end the “pandemic against women ''. The collaboration of governments worldwide and outside organizations in past years has proven to be successful, with more than 5 million people signing a global petition to make ending violence against women a top worldwide priority in 2009, to adding women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people as a clause in the UN’s pandemic response plans. The pandemic response plan will guide UN Women's work for four years.
This year, one of the initiatives being promoted is the #NoExcuse campaign aimed at seeking urgent investments from governments and charitable organizations to prevent violence against women and girls. Investments gathered will be used to foster awareness, improve resources for women victims of abuse, and promote gender-based violence awareness on university campuses. With this campaign, individuals are encouraged to repost an updated information package, sharing facts about the violence against women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people on social media. By doing so, it is hoped that awareness will be raised and more funds will be allocated to education, mitigation, and understanding.
What can you do to participate in the 2023 16 Days of Action campaign?
You can share information on social media and educate those around you.
You can write letters to members of parliament demanding more action on this issue.
You can offer much-needed support to anyone in your life who has openly shared about experiencing gender-based violence.
You might consider supporting your local women's shelter.
Lastly, you can speak up and get help if you witness gender-based violence or think someone you know could be experiencing it.
If we all work together, we can make a difference.
Information gathered from:
“16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” UN Women – Headquarters, www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism#:~:text=Every%20year%2C%20the%20UNITE%20Campaign,violence%20against%20women%20and%20girls%E2%80%9D.
‘2022, 18 November. “In Focus: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.” UN Women – Headquarters, 18 Nov. 2022, www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2022/11/in-focus-16-days-of-activism-against-gender-based-violence.
UN Women Values and Competencies Framework, www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-values-and-competencies-framework-en.pdf.