Authored by: bec ritchie, NGO CSW/NY Advocacy & Admin Intern
What is the 16 Days of Activism campaign?
The 16 Days of Activism campaign was formulated in 1991 by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute as a commemorative response to the 1960 assassination of the Mirabel sisters, who became symbols of the feminist movement across Latin America after they were murdered as a result of their involvement in clandestine activities against Rafael Trujillo’s authoritarian regime. From 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (Human Rights Day), we take the time to pay special attention to learning, promoting, and advocating for a world free of gender-based violence for women, girls, and gender non-conforming people in all their diversity.
In 2024, women and girls continue to be murdered as a result of their gender. Women in the public eye, including those in politics, women human rights defenders, and journalists routinely find themselves the targets of intentional acts of violence, both online and offline, with some leading to fatal outcomes.
This year’s global theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is ‘Recommitment, Accountability, Resourcing Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls’ and aims to mobilize around the priorities of the Beijing +30 review by emphasizing the urgency of strengthening accountability for ending violence against women and girls. This year’s campaign calls for concrete actions, including holding perpetrators accountable and accelerating action through well-resourced national strategies and increased funding to women’s rights movements.
How can I get involved?
We invite you to join the campaign:
- Learn more about gender equality and gender-based violence prevention
- Start the dialogue around GBV with family members, friends, and colleagues
- Support advocates and non-profit organizations that are making efforts to prevent violence against women, girls, and gender non-conforming people.
More resources:
UNITE to End Violence against Women Campaign (official page)
NGO CSW67 Conversation Circle: Violence Against Women and Girls
