Updated: November 25, 2024
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 later coordinated 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 “Towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls”. The UNiTE campaign is drawing attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women under the theme, “Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women”. The campaign calls on citizens to demand accountability, invest in prevention, and build a future free from violence against women and girls. — UN Women 2024
1 in 3 women experience violence in their lifetime. 1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by an intimate partner. — UN Women & World Health Organization
United Nations Secretary-General’s Campaign UNITE to End Violence Against Women: Concept Note 2024 – UN Women
November 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – United Nations
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: What You Can Do – World Health Organization
2024 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 list of resources on Domestic Violence Awareness
CWNY’s list of resources on Intimate Partner Violence Awareness
CWNY’s list of resources on Sexual Assault Awareness
CWNY’s list of resources on Stalking Awareness
CWNY’s list of resources on Abuser/Batterer Intervention
CWNY’s list of resources on Human Trafficking Prevention