#16Days: Leave no one behind, end violence against women and girls
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
This year’s global campaign theme “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls” will call on global audiences to take a stand on violence against women and girls, especially against the underserved and marginalized—including refugees, migrants, LGBT, women with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and populations affected by conflict and natural disasters.
To mark the #16Days, Every Woman Every Child will be showcasing stories of women who survived violence. They are living proof that women and girls can escape and overcome violence. However, violence against women and girls is an infringement of basic human rights and it is unacceptable.
These are stories of resilience, overcoming trauma and the ability to rebuild lives, and they are inspiring to say the least. To see women break free from life-threatening, abusive situations, and thrive to achieve their full potential is amazing.
In many places, violence against women is seen as a normal part of life. Women stay in abusive relationships for years, before seeking services, sometimes because it is too taboo to talk about the issue. In order to stop violence against women and girls, societies must ensure that they have access to education, jobs, opportunities, emotional and social support. It’s not enough that they survive.
In the words of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres:
“Every woman and every girl has the right to a life free of violence. Yet this rupture of human rights occurs in a variety of ways in every community. It particularly affects those who are most marginalized and most vulnerable. Around the world, more than 1 in 3 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lives; 750 million women were married before age 18, and more than 250 million have undergone female genital mutilation.
There is increasing recognition that violence against women is a major barrier to the fulfilment of human rights, and a direct challenge to women’s inclusion and participation in sustainable development and sustaining peace. There is also increasing evidence that violence against women and girls is linked to other attacks, including violent extremism and even terrorism. This violence, the most visible sign of pervasive patriarchy and chauvinism, directly impacts women’s physical and psychological health. It affects whole families, communities and societies. While it continues, we will not achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
It is time to further our collective action to end violence against women and girls — for good. That takes all of us working together in our own countries, regions and communities, at the same time, towards the same goal.”
In line with the global theme “Leave no one behind”, the main call to action of the 16 Days of Activism this year is for people to share their stories through the Facebook Live camera effect on how they have taken action, and what needs to be done to end violence against women and girls.
Join the conversation using #16DAYS and #EWECisME!
Consider adding the orange Twibbon to your Twitter profile.
Orange your personal Facebook profile with the orange frame.