Human Rights Articles

by Mary Manning, Heidelberg IWC

What is the “16 Days of Activism” campaign?

It’s a 16-day international campaign, from November 25 to December 10, to challenge violence against women and girls. During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world unite to raise awareness about eliminating gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good. Read here for more information.

Begins: November 25 – International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women
Ends: December 10 – International Human Rights Day

What can you do?

Learn More. Speak Out More. Do More. Here is a calendar of simple yet effective ways that you can show your support for the 16 Days of Activism.

Scroll down to read more about each date. Bookmark this article so you can refer to it for each of the 16 days of the campaign. Print a copy here. 

Nov 25 – Orange your social media 

November 25 has been designated Orange Day by the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign. The color orange symbolizes a brighter future, free of violence. It also serves as a means of demonstrating your solidarity in eliminating all forms of violence, and it is therefore used as the color of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. You can simply change your background to orange, or you can download an “Orange the World” logo here.

Nov 26 – Learn More: Read a book

The next Global Issues Book Discussion is hosted by the Human Rights Team and we will be discussing In The Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. This story tells of the Mirabal sisters, who were murdered by order of the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo, on November 25, 1960. In honor of the sisters, human rights activists lobbied to mark November 25 as an International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The discussion date will be announced soon!

Nov 27 – Learn More: Watch a film

Check out The Pixel Project’s ninth annual selection of powerful and thought-provoking films, documentaries and television shows from around the world that portray the tragic effects of violence against women and girls (VAW) in various forms.

Nov 28 – Do More: Women’s shelter donation

Ask a local women’s shelter if you can make a donation of clothing or handbags, food or your time.

Nov 29 – Speak Out More: Share your knowledge

Use your social media to show your support for the 16 Days Campaign. Share this series of blog articles written by women in the AWC Berlin club.

Nov 30 – Learn More: Intersectionality and violence against women

In order to address gender-based violence, we must recognize the unique barriers that women of different backgrounds face, as they are subject to multiple layers of oppression and violence. Seek out organizations and articles that help you to understand this concept better.

Dec 1 – Do More: Talk about the signs of unhealthy relationships

Talk to women in your life, particularly young women, about recognizing unhealthy signs and shifting to healthy behaviors. Help women around you understand that it is important to not ignore these signs, as they can escalate to abuse.

Dec 2 – Do More: Support women’s sports

The news is full of reports of harassment and abuse of women in sports, despite sports being one of the most effective ways for young women to feel empowered. Unfortunately, most people only support women’s sports when they know someone on the team. Why not plan a date night or girls’ night out to a local women’s basketball, handball or soccer event?

Dec 3 – Speak Out More: Share the NoMore Global Directory

Use your social media to raise awareness about the NoMore Global Directory, a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive international directory of domestic violence and sexual assault resources in every UN-recognized country and territory in the world. Click here to watch a video of Melissa Morbeck of the NoMore Foundation discussing the importance of this directory at the FAWCO Human Rights in Focus conference.

Dec 4 – Do More: Fund women’s organizations

Donate to local organizations that empower women, amplify their voices, support survivors, and promote acceptance of all gender identities and sexualities. Your contribution is even more valuable if you make it an automatic monthly deduction from your bank account. Advocate at your company for a matching contribution.

Dec 5 – Learn More: Understand Femicide

The theme for the 2022 Campaign is “End Femicide,” a topic that can feel very distant to women in Western countries. Read the Advocacy Guide produced by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, the founders of the 16 Days Campaign, to understand why home is the most dangerous place in the world for a woman, regardless of where she lives.

Dec 6 – Speak Out More: Engage in conversations about consent

Make sure the men, especially young men, in your life understand: Freely given, enthusiastic consent is mandatory, every time. Click here for resources on having this conversation.

Dec 7 – Learn more: Online violence against women

The digital dimension of gender-based violence has a serious impact on the lives of women and girls, including their safety, their physical and psychological health, livelihoods, family ties, dignity and reputation. Learn more here.

Dec 8 – Speak Out More: Ask more of the men in your lives

Talk to the men in your life about violence against women and the fact that this cannot be solved by women’s actions alone. They must become allies for speaking up against violence in all forms. HeForShe is an organization that offers resources on allyship.

Dec 9 – Learn More: Curate your social media to be better informed

Follow accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. that help keep you informed on this important issue. Organizations such as UN Women, the Global 16 Days Campaign and the Global Violence Prevention Network have active social media accounts that will keep you informed on issues and events impacting women around the world.

Dec 10 – Join the virtual reading of The Declaration of Human Rights

Join FAWCO on December 10 to wrap up the 16 Days campaign with a live reading of the UN’s Declaration of Human Rights.

• Volunteer to read a portion of the document in the language of your home country! (optional)
• Host members of your club in a central location and join us for a Google Meet call. This is a celebration of human rights, fidelity and our founding principle that we are stronger together than we are alone. More information coming soon!