16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University in 1991. 

The 16 days begin on November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day, and end on December 10, International Human Rights Day.  The symbolic link between these dates reinforces that women’s rights are human rights and violence against women constitutes a violation of human rights.

Since it began, the 16 Days of Activism has been used as an opportunity for women’s groups to work together in solidarity and call for the elimination of violence against women by:

• Raising awareness about gender based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels 
• Strengthening local work around violence against women 
• Establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women
• Providing a forum in which organisers can develop and share effective strategies
• Demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organising against violence against women
• Creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women

Relationships Australia provides a range of Family Violence Prevention Services, including counselling for people who have experienced violence and abuse and are seeking ways to ensure their safety and to overcome the impact of this trauma. We also run programs for people who use violence and abuse in their interpersonal relationships and who want to find new ways of relating that do not harm others.

Read more: 16 Days Campaign