16 Days of Activism Campaign

This year, ALWS is participating in the UN Women’s “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign. The global campaign runs every year from 25^th of November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10^th of December (Human Rights Day). During the 16 Days of Activism, communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

We do this because we believe that all peoples deserve to be safe, treated equally and respected.

The campaign focuses on a specific theme each year and this year’s theme is “invest” to prevent violence against women and girls. The campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women. This year’s campaign also calls on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention. This global campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about the profound impact of violence, particularly on women and girls.

Did you know that every year:

• 15 million girls aged 15-19 experience forced sex.
• 12 million girls are married before they reach the age of 18.
• Less than 40% of the women who experience violence seek help of any sort.
• In Afghanistan, 6 million girls are not able to receive an education after the Taliban ban.
• In Gaza, 7,533 women and children have been killed, almost 800,000 women and girls have been displaced, and 50,000 women are pregnant in this high-conflict space.
• In Ethiopia, 10 million women and girls need protection services due to violence and climate disasters.
• In Latin America, 4,445 women were recorded as victims of feminicide in 2021.
• Across the world, 75 percent of women in developing regions are less likely to have employment contracts, legal rights or social protection.

These are not just numbers. They are lived experiences by many vulnerable women, including many minors.

This is why ALWS’ programs always include specific consideration and support for women (and other vulnerable community groups). Here are some videos from our partners in the field outlining the actions that we’re taking together to support vulnerable women and address Gender-based violence.

• Burundi 
• Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya
• Nepal 

You can read more about the 16 days of Activism here and if you’d like to get involved you could use the social media materials developed by the ACT Alliance. These are available for download here.