16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched in 2008 the campaign UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of Activism.
Every year, the UNITE Campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year’s is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”. The campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women. This year's campaign also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.
Like every year, we also reaffirm our commitment to promoting a world free from violence and ensuring the well-being of women and girls everywhere.
Here is Our Pledge:
- Raise Awareness: Primary Health Care professionals play a crucial role in raising awareness about the signs of abuse. We commit to educating our communities and advocating for the rights and safety of women.
- Support and Empower: We stand ready to support survivors by providing a safe space, understanding, and access to essential services. Empowerment is key to breaking the cycle of violence.
- Education and Training: We will continue to invest in the education and training of healthcare professionals to ensure they are equipped to identify and address issues related to violence against women.
Read more about this campaign at www.unwomen.org/