16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
An international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, takes place every year from November 25th to December 10th. The purpose of this campaign is to encourage people to reflect, learn, and take action in order to eliminate violence against women. These days of the year are dedicated to shedding light on the plight of women who have been affected directly or indirectly from gender based violence. In support of this 16-day activism, the objective is to emphasize on supports for abused women and end violence against women and girls. Women That Give joins all as a collective voice to support the 16 days of activism and push efforts to turn the 16 days to 365. Women That Give(WTG) provides support services and advocates for survivors of gender-based violence throughout the year, not just for 16 days. WTG provides support services, education, employment support, financial aid and resources to marginalized women directly or indirectly affected by gender based violence.
We invite you to take actions on these important days of the year. Mark your calendars. And offer your support, share the ways to join the campaign or support an organization or group working towards ending violence against women.
Awareness: Join campaigns launched by other org’s gender based violence and participate in the activities and programs for example walks, candlelight vigil & etc. Create awareness using social media and other outreach outlets and word to mouth peer to peer connections.
Advocacy: Provide a platform for women who have experienced abuse and feel supported, heard, and confident to speak up and share their stories. Advocate for stronger enforcement for justice to be served. Collective efforts through surrounding communities.
Collaborate: Creating unity by connecting with other organizations to help support and provide resources needed to aid survivors and those who faced violence. Potential partnership with mental health and counseling professionals is a crucial and essential collaboration; for such reasons as addressing trauma, reducing stigma, being able to feel safe and being provided a judge free environment.
Investment & Funding: Both investments and fundings are important for organizations as it aids in providing essentials such as legal aid, financial assistance, counseling services, medical aid. Funding for education, campaign programs to ensure services are available. And it is required for adequate staffing and volunteer support.
Education: Education is essential inorder to address gender based violence. Helps by identifying the root causes, empower individuals by engaging members of the communities and create an action. We encourage schools and workplaces to educate students and employees to create a safe and respectful environment.
DEC 6th- The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, Pay tribute, Honour the victims who have lost their lives due to gbv. Attend a Vigil. Light a Candle. Wear White Ribbon. Speak at public locations or schools about education and preventing violence.
Actions You Can Take Today – In support of the Campaign :-
Day 1:
- Creating a team and involving supporters including volunteers joining campaign against gender based violence.
Day 2:
- Social media page: raising awareness and posting real time stats on GBV, creating a hashtag to share information with community members and allowing them to engage.
Day 3:
- Host an event in community centers and provide education. Talk about types of healthy relationships, what GBV is and violence prevention. Have a survivor talk about their story if they are comfortable.
Day 4:
- Provide support and shelter to survivors such as legal aid, counseling, financial assistance, and etc.
Day 5:
- Raise fundraiser for extra financial support, volunteers can provide donation boxes at stores or do door to door. Donations (clothes, food, hygiene) go towards shelters/agencies or women impacted by GBV.
Day 6:
- Advocate for stronger rules by the government, improve and better enforcement, provide justice.
Day 7:
- Train volunteers and members of the community supporting, introducing them to trauma informed care.
Day 8:
- Connect with other organizations, creating a bigger unity and work with shelter/agency spaces. Collaborate with organizations offering services mental health and counseling.
Day 9:
- Provide workshops given by first responders, training on how to handle GBV and self defense techniques.
Day 10:
- Organize events at schools to encourage both boys and girls (youth) to raise awareness and educate youth on GBV.
Day 11:
- Having flyers distributed/ brochures with information such as hotlines, available shelters, tips on safety in the area and a guide provided for survivors can be available in local or public areas.
Day 12:
- Encourage Schools and workplaces to raise awareness for students and employees providing a safe and respectful environment.
Day 13:
- Awareness via media. Have the media cover all events.
Day 14:
- Supporting survivors, having places where survivors feel safe and on to healing, and having access to resources to programs that empower skill building and so on.
Day 15:
- Host podcast which can include survivors or activists or in general people speaking up for rights.
Day 16:
- Continue raising awareness via media, social media. Provide tools, resources, workshops and programs for survivors and educate the public on safety and strategies.
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Join campaigns launched by other org’s gender based violence and participate in the activities and programs for example walks, candlelight vigil & etc.