In Focus: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

Group of people standing in a yard holding up big orange letters that read Orange the World
Courtesy of Tabitha Cumi Foundation.

UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls! 

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November to 10 December 2021, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign: “UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls!” 

To this day, there is no place, online or offline, where women and girls can be completely safe.  

1 in 3 women experience violence in their lifetime, and that number has not changed for decades. During crises, this number spikes as women and girls’ rights, freedom, bodies and dignity continue to be at risk due to the impacts of natural and human-made disasters.      

For decades, feminist movements around the world have made life-changing impacts on generations of women and girls, through transformational changes in cultural norms, in education, in attitudes, and in policies. Behind these powerful feminist movements are civil society and women’s rights organizations who have been working tirelessly for the human rights of women and girls, so that women and girls can be economically empowered, can pursue an education, can make their own decisions on their own bodies, and can look forward to a future without violence and discrimination.  

However, while leading innovative work and creating transformational changes, women’s rights organizations must also respond to the rising challenges that drive violence against women, which include natural disasters, wars and anti-feminist movements. Despite these rising challenges, feminist movements around the world are joining together, towards the common goal of preventing and ending violence against all women and girls, so that no woman or girl is left behind. To achieve that goal, we must trust these movements.  

These 16 Days of Activism, join the feminist movements, be part of the change. Be an activist to end violence against women and girls. 

Ways to get involved:

  • Share knowledge and educate yourself on violence against women and girls and engage in conversations to highlight why we need to #TrustFeminists: learn about the different forms of violence against women and girls, understand the risks, backlash and challenges that civil society and women’s rights organizations face today as they work tirelessly to protect every woman’s right to live free from violence.  

  • Amplify and share your own #StoryOfResistance to rally support and recognition of the lifechanging work and crucial role of women’s rights organizations and activists powering feminist movements worldwide.  

  • Concretize your commitment to create change through the #UNTFeminist Journey by directly resourcing the lifeline work of women’s rights organizations tackling intersecting forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls: JOIN THE JOURNEY!

Women and girls are counting on us.  

So we count on you to #TrustFeminists, because our voices are louder when we work together. 

IN STORIES

#StoryOfResistance

IN VIDEOS

Throughout 16 Days of Activism, unpack who is powering the global feminist movements, how they are changing lives, what challenges they are overcoming, and how exactly you can support! 

Who are powering feminist movements?
Circuit Pointe, Nigeria
UFPH, Ukraine

THRIVE Gulu, Uganda
EMPOWER, Malaysia
Equidad de Género, Mexico

Beyond Borders, Haiti
WOLREC, Malawi
APPCO, Uganda

SUWA, Nigeria
Centre for Women Studies and Intervention, Nigeria
HACEY Health Initiative, Nigeria

Paz y Esperanza, Peru
Zambia National Women's Lobby, Zambia
UNABU, Rwanda

#TrustFeminists beyond the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Celebrate the 16 Days of Activism with us online! Join us on social media in speaking up against violence against women and girls and celebrating women and girls, feminist and women’s movements who are leading transformative change around the world. 

  • Amplify our messages, learn about the growing backlash and challenges facing women’s rights organizations, and why you #TrustFeminists. 

  • Share your own #StoryOfResistance through stories and videos. 

  • Let us know when you join the #UNTFeminist Journey

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @UNTrustFundEVAW, and join the conversations using #TrustFeminists, #UNTFeminist, #StoryOfResistance 

Background:

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year. It begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day, indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide.  

In support of this civil society initiative, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign (UNiTE Campaign), calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations.