Origins of 16 Days of Activism 

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM

The 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence is a global camapign that has become a cornerstone in the fight for gender equality and the eradication of violence against women.   As familiar as we are with the 16 Days and its meaning, its origins are not as well known.

The significance of the 25th November to 10th December dates

The 16 Days of Activism campaign begins each year on 25th November and ends on 10th December.   You may wonder about the significance of these dates.

The 25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a date that carries profound historical significance.  Based on research around this date, it is based on the 1960 assissination of the three Mirabal sisters, who were political activists in the Dominican Republic.  Their killing was ordered by the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo, and they were clubbed to death and dumped at the bottom of a cliff by Trujillo's secret police.  

In 1981, other activists marked the day as one to raise awareness of the violence women face, and on 7th February 2000 this day received it's official United Nations resolution.

The 10th of December is International Human Rights day, and the 16 days from 25th November to 10th December underscores the connection between violence against women and the violation of human rights.   It emphasises that addressing gender-based violence is a critical component of achieving global social justice.

The role of the Centre for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL)

The Centre for Women's Global Leadership was founded in 1989 by Charlotte Bunch, a human rights activist.  The CWGL is both an academic institution and a non-governmental organisation, with ECOSOC Special Consultative Status at the United Nations.  

In June of 1991, this Centre for Women's Global Leadership, supported by participants of the first Woman's Global Institute on Woman, Violence and Human Rights, called for a global campaign, and the 16 Days of Activism movement began.

The CWGL's mission extends beyond the 16 Days of Activism, working to develop and support women's leadership worldwide to advance women's human rights and international social justice.  It has been instrumental in securing international policy commitments that affirm that 'women's rights are human rights'.  With this foundation in place, CWGL focuses on ensuring that commitments translate into tangible actions, holding governments and policymakers accountable for their promises to the world's women.

It's work includes United Nations monitoring and advocacy, along with coordinating international mobilisation campaigns, like the 16 Days of Activism.

16 Days of Activism broader impact

Since its inception, the 16 Days of Activism has grown into a powerful movement, adopted by thousands of organisations across more than 187 countries.  It serves as a rallying call to challenge harmful cultural norms, implement policies and provide resources and support for survivors of gender-based voilence.

In 2008, the UN Secretary General at the time, Ban Ki-Moon launched the UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign, which compliments the 16 Days of Activism.  This initiative aims to mobilise governments, civil society and individuals to end violence against women and girls by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The synergy between UNiTE and the 16 Days of Activism campaigns amplify their shared message that gender-based violence is not only a violation of human dignity, but is also a barrier to achieving equitable and sustainable development.

Why the 16 Days of Activism still matters

The persistence of gender-based violence remains a global crisis.  According to UN Women, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.  From domestic violence, rape, assault and sexual harrassment to human trafficking and femicide, the scale of this issue demands urgent and ongoing attention and action.

The 16 Days of Activism provides a powerful platform to shed light on these injustices, amplify voices of survivors and advocate for change.  It encourages individuals and organisations to take concrete steps, whether through public awareness campaigns, lobbying for policy changes or providing direct support to survivors.

As the 16 Days of Activism continues to grow, its message remains as vital as ever: violence against women is not inevitable and it can and must be stopped.  Through collective action and unwavering commitment, we can build a future where women and girls live free from fear and violence - a future rooted in dignity, equality and human rights for all.