The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. The bookend dates– November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day– were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates, including International Women Human Rights Defenders Day (November 29), World AIDS Day (December 1), and the Montreal Massacre Anniversary (December 6).

Since its inception, over 2,000 organizations in approximately 154 countries have participated in the 16 Days Campaign. This year’s theme is:

Human Rights for Women ‹—› Human Rights for All: UDHR 60.

Visit the official 16 Days Exhibit to learn more.

What is UDHR 60?

UDHR 60 stands for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in which the United Nations declared that “the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. Read the full Universal Declaration of Human Rights and learn more about the UDHR 60 Campaign.

Campaigns Highlighted

One Million Signatures Campaign

The One Million Signatures Campaign is dedicated to challenging and changing the discrimination against women in Iranian laws. Sign their International Support for Women’s Campaign Petition.

openDemocracy

Follow the 16 Days on openDemocracy with articles contributed by men and women all over the world on issues of gender equality and empowerment on a global scale.

United Nations Population Fund

The United Nations Population Fund (formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities) is “an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity”. Read about the UNPF’s 16 days of activism and see how they have been committed in ending 16 forms of gender-based violence . Also, check out their online exhibition.

Women’s League of Burma

The Women’s League of Burma is an umbrella organization over 12 other organizations, united in their commitment to the importance of women’s contribution to the struggle for human rights, democracy and equal rights in Burma. Read official statements released by the WLB during these 16 days and see how they are calling ASEAN governments and the UN to action:

• Burma’s military Constitution condemns women to a continuing cycle of violence
• WLB issues urgent call for UN Representatives to visit Nilar Thein and other Women Human Rights Defenders in Burma

TAKE ACTION

Join UNIFEM ‘s global movement and sign your name to the Say NO to Violence Against Women campaign. The campaign demonstrates the united concern over the need to prioritize ending violence against women in governments everywhere.