UN Women kicks off a UN-wide annual campaign on 25 November, the International Day to End Violence against Women.
Over the following 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we are asking governments, institutions, and citizens to show us how much the world cares about ending violence against women and girls under the theme “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls“.
Led by civil society groups around the world, the campaign is supported by the United Nations through the Secretary General’s initiative, UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women.
0.2 percent of global Official Development Assistance is directed to gender-based violence prevention.
25 percent of countries have systems to track budget allocations for gender equality.
78 percent of countries have budgetary commitments to implement legislation addressing violence against women.
Some 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their lives. More than four in five women and girls (86 percent) are living in countries without robust legal protection, or in countries for which data are not readily available.
No country is within reach of eradicating intimate partner violence. Despite the scale of the problem and these worrying trends, financial commitments to violence prevention remain limited. Investing in preventing violence against women and girls is crucial to achieving gender equality by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
We urge everyone to call on leaders worldwide to increase investments in preventing violence from happening in the first place.
Every effort invested in preventing violence against women is a step towards a safer, more equal, and prosperous world.
For the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, you can undertake various assignments to contribute to the cause. Here are some suggestions:
- Awareness Campaigns:
- Develop and share informative content on social media platforms to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
- Create and distribute posters, infographics, or short videos highlighting key issues and statistics.
- Community Workshops:
- Organize workshops or webinars in your community to discuss the impact of gender-based violence and strategies for prevention.
- Invite guest speakers, experts, or survivors to share their experiences and insights.
- Fundraising Initiatives:
- Initiate a fundraising campaign to support organizations working towards ending violence against women.
- Collaborate with local businesses, schools, or community groups to maximize impact.
- Policy Advocacy:
- Research and advocate for policies that address and prevent gender-based violence.
- Engage with local authorities or policymakers to discuss the importance of legislative changes.
- Artistic Expression:
- Organize art exhibitions, poetry slams, or performances that explore the theme of ending violence against women.
- Encourage local artists to create pieces that convey powerful messages against gender-based violence.
- Educational Initiatives:
- Partner with schools or educational institutions to conduct workshops on consent, healthy relationships, and respect.
- Distribute educational materials to students, parents, and teachers.
- Support Systems:
- Establish or contribute to support systems for survivors of gender-based violence.
- Collaborate with local shelters or organizations providing assistance and resources.
- Collaborative Events:
- Join forces with other community groups, NGOs, or businesses to organize joint events for a broader impact.
- Collaborate on a community-wide project that addresses specific issues related to gender-based violence.
- Media Engagement:
- Contact local media outlets to cover stories related to gender-based violence and the 16 Days of Activism.
- Share personal stories or experiences through op-eds, blogs, or interviews.
- Self-Education:
- Take the time to educate yourself about the various aspects of gender-based violence, its causes, and potential solutions.
- Share your knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues to promote understanding and empathy.
Remember to tailor these suggestions based on your resources, interests, and the needs of your community. The key is to actively participate in activities that contribute to the broader goal of ending violence against women and promoting gender equality.
