16 Days of Activism a time to reflect on progress in eliminating VaW

The international community as well as the media and community based organisations are being asked to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

The period from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day is designated for the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign.

The international campaign originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being.  The campaign is a reminder that human rights cannot be universal without human rights for women.

The two dates highlight that violence against women is a human rights abuse. Media, community members and organisations are invited to coordinate or participate in an event to unite in the struggle to end violence against women.

More information on the campaign and what can be done during this period can be found at www.unwomen.org