The annual international campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence against Women and Girls” kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence. respect for women, and ends on December 10, which marks Human Rights Day.
The campaign was launched by activists at the inauguration of the International Institute for Women’s Leadership in 1991. This campaign provides people and organizations around the world with a mobilizing strategy calling for prevention and elimination violence against women and girls.
In support of this civil society initiative, in 2018 the Secretary-General of the United Nations launched the campaign “Unite by 2030 to end violence against women”, which is taking place in parallel to the “16 Days of Activism” campaign.
Each year, the “All UNiS! » is dedicated to a specific theme. This year’s, “ALL UNITED!” Investing to prevent violence against women and girls! » and the campaign encourages citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls and to publicize the actions they are taking to make this world free from violence against women and girls. the women. This year, it also aims to invite government officials from around the world to explain what investments are being made in preventing gender-based violence.
Please see the concept note, available in English, Arabic, Spanish and French.
Join the global movement with the #NoExcuse campaign calling for urgent investments to prevent violence against women and girls.
Say No – All United! since 2009
In support of the UN system-wide campaign and strengthening public engagement, UN Women launched the “Say NO – UNITE to end violence against women” mobilization platform. women” in 2009.
In its first phase, more than 5 million people signed a global petition to make the elimination of violence against women a top global priority. Between 2009 and 2013, the campaign also carried out more than 5 million actions in partnership with more than 900 civil society organizations around the world.
These actions highlighted the advocacy efforts of civil society organizations, activists, governments and the United Nations system. They have come in various forms, from online petitions and social media campaigns to national initiatives to raise awareness among local stakeholders. These included, for example, awareness campaigns in schools, engagement initiatives with young people and faith-based organizations and calls for national commitments by governments, among other actions.
The “Let’s Get Involved” initiative
In 2012, prior to the 57e Session of the Commission on the Status of Women dedicated to the elimination of violence against women, UN Women launched the “Let’s Take Action” initiative, which calls on governments to take a stand by pledging to taking concrete national measures to end violence against women and girls.
By the end of 2013, the European Union and 63 nations joined the initiative, announcing specific measures to prevent violence against women and girls. These measures included the adoption or improvement of laws, the ratification of international conventions, the launch of awareness campaigns, the provision of safe reception areas or the offering of free telephone assistance and assistance services. legal assistance for survivors of violence, as well as support for educational programs that address gender-based stereotypes and violence. The initiative also increased the number of women in law enforcement agencies, peacekeeping forces and frontline services.
Eliminating gender-based violence in the context of COVID-19
To address the escalation of violence against women and girls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, the United Nations Secretary-General urged governments to make violence prevention violence against women and girls and associated redress mechanisms a key component of their national pandemic response plans. In response to this call, 146 member and observer states declared their determined support.
Following this declaration, the Executive Committee of the Secretary-General adopted a “Political Engagement Strategy” for the United Nations system, to mobilize commitments and encourage action towards the elimination of violence based on gender in the context of COVID-19.
All governments are called upon to make commitments and take policy action around four key action areas: finance, prevent, respond and collect.
Today, the “Say NO – UNITE” campaign has become a social mobilization network that continues to highlight advocacy initiatives, news and actions of people from diverse backgrounds aimed at ending violence made to women and girls.
A global network for the elimination of violence against women and girls
To keep the network informed of key developments and existing advocacy opportunities, UN Women develops bi-monthly action circulars which are communicated to partner organizations and women’s rights defenders around the world.
To join the global network of the “ALL UNiTE!” campaign. », you can subscribe to the latest news here. Be part of a global network of people committed to building a future free of violence against women and girls!
Below is a list of the most recent circulars:
July-August 2022. Theme: Combating human trafficking as a form of violence against women and girls
May/June 2022. Theme: Ending violence against women and girls in conflict
February/March 2022. Theme: Ending violence against women and girls in the context of climate change and the annex to this action circular summarizing the approved conclusions regarding the 66e session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
October/November 2021. Theme: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
August/September 2021. Theme: Collect
June/July 2021. Theme: Reply
April/May 2021. Theme: Prevent
February/March 2021. Theme: Finance
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Coverage of previous editions of the campaign
Check out our coverage of previous editions of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign:
2022: Investing to prevent violence against women and girls
2021: End violence against women now!
2022: Orange the world: finance, intervene, prevent, collect!
2019: Generation Equality opposes rape
2018: Orange the world: #ListenMeToo
2017: Leave no one behind
2016: Invest and mobilize to end violence against women
2015 : Let’s prevent violence against women
2014 : Orange your neighborhood
2013: Let’s end violence against women
2012: Let’s end violence against women. Say NO.
2011: Ending violence against women and girls
