The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an international campaign designed to raise awareness and inspire action to end violence against women and girls. The campaign runs annually from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day.
Campaign Overview:
Originally launched in 1991 under the name “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence,” the campaign has since grown to include over 6,000 organizations across 187 countries worldwide. Every year, the campaign’s themes focus on specific aspects of gender inequality, shining a spotlight on the challenges women and girls face and advocating for concrete actions to address them.
This year’s theme, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which remains a pivotal global framework for advancing gender equality. The theme calls for renewed efforts to end violence against women and girls (VAWG) and for action from governments, the private sector, and civil society. The United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign to End Violence Against Women emphasizes the need for accountability, funding, and comprehensive strategies to eliminate GBV, with a particular focus on femicide—the extreme form of gender-based violence.
Global and Local Impact:
Globally, the 16 Days campaign mobilizes people to call for justice, equality, and the eradication of GBV. The campaign highlights the persistent nature of violence against women and girls, even as progress is made toward gender equality.
In Kenya, for instance, the National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) emphasizes that while the country celebrates 60 years of independence, gender-based violence remains a significant challenge. Particularly in urban informal settlements, vulnerable women and girls continue to face violence, often compounded by systemic barriers and cultural norms. The call to action is clear: authorities and duty-bearers must act to address these harsh realities, provide support to survivors, and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
Role of Media:
On the first day of the campaign, November 25, a media roundtable was organized to discuss the ethical reporting of GBV, particularly femicide. Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) Kenya, along with the Centre for Reproductive Rights, convened media professionals, government representatives, civil society organizations (CSOs), and survivors of GBV to explore the media’s critical role in raising awareness and fostering dialogue on these issues.
The roundtable discussed strategies for better reporting on GBV, aiming to challenge harmful narratives and ensure survivors’ voices are heard, particularly in cases of femicide.
The UN Refugee Agency’s Focus:
The UN Refugee Agency also plays a significant role in the campaign, underscoring the importance of addressing gender-based violence in humanitarian settings, where women and girls face even greater risks. In regions affected by conflict, the Agency stresses the need to respect international laws protecting women and girls, ensuring access to essential services for those affected by GBV.
A Call for Collective Action:
The 16 Days of Activism serves as a powerful reminder of the global solidarity needed to combat gender-based violence. This year, the campaign urges individuals, governments, and organizations to take responsibility for eliminating VAWG, creating a world free from violence, and ensuring that every woman and girl can live a life of dignity and respect.
The 16 Days of Activism is not just a time for awareness but a call to action that demands accountability, resources, and long-term commitment from all sectors of society to end violence against women and girls.
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