Sunday 25 November 2018 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and marks day one of the 16 Days of Activism. Each year, from 25 November to 10 December, World Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women.
During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world will unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good.
To end violence against women, we need to challenge the attitudes that perpetuate, rationalise and normalise that violence, and deny women’s right to safety. Men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of gender-based violence. To see violence truly eliminated, the attitudes of men need to change. Shifting these behaviours is hard and slow, but gender equality means all of us, and working with all genders is the only way to see true change.
What can you do?
Raise your voice, take on an event or lobby your MP. You can also start by challenging sexism and gender inequality in your own life.
Here are some other ways you can get involved:
- Learn more about violence against women using this UN Women infographic.
- Get friends and colleagues together and #GoOrange during the 16 days! Orange is a symbol of a future free from violence against women and girls.
- If you’re running an event add it to the Women Victoria events calendar here or feel free to put it on the Victorian Women’s Trust’s events calendar here.
- Check out Respect Victoria’s website here.
- Download a Take Action Toolkit for the 16 days here.
- Start conversations about violence against women in your networks and amongst family and friends.
We can all do something, no matter how small, to help eliminate violence against women and girls.
Get more information about 16 Days of Activism at the Victorian Women’s Trust or visit the Victorians Against Violence website.
