Updated: November 25, 2023
These 16 days are observed from November 25th to December 10th each year.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10th, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
In support of this civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched in 2008 the campaign UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of activism.
Every year, the UNITE Campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year’s is “UNITE! 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. — UN Women 2023
1 in 4 women globally have been subjected to gender-based violence. There can be no peace in the world if women are not secure, in their homes and in society at large. — Nobel Women’s Initiative
UN Women
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence: In Focus November 2023
United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign UNITE to End Violence Against Women
November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – United Nations 2023
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: What You Can Do – World Health Organization
NYC Events: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – NYC Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
16 Books for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence – New York Public Library
Center for the Women of New York (CWNY)
CWNY’s Domestic Violence Resources
CWNY’s Intimate Partner Violence Resources
CWNY’s Sexual Assault Awareness Resources
CWNY’s Stalking Awareness Resources
CWNY’s Human Trafficking Prevention Resources