WOMEN beaten by their husbands, female students harassed on the streets, school girls stalked and intimidated and girl children raped by both strangers as well as teachers, bus drivers, family friends and relatives. Each day, these crimes happen to girls and women around the world and across all states in India. These gender-based crimes against girls and women are debilitating and leave a devastating impact on its victims, some of whom never recover from the abuse and violation of their human rights.
Even though there are laws to protect girls and women from harm and violence as well as initiatives to change the mindset and behavior of boys and men, the crimes continue. The prevalence of these crimes have led individuals and organizations around the world to put their heads together to come up with different solutions to the disturbing problem of gender-based violence. 16 Days of Activism is a global effort to raise awareness on the issue and demand changes be legislated and implemented.
How did 16 Days of Activism start?
16 Days of Activism is a global movement, but its story began in the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic. In 1960, three female activists were beaten to death for their protests and activism. The deaths of the sisters, named Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal, occurred on November 25th and the day then became known throughout the South American region as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In the early 1990s two women’s organizations set in motion a global campaign of activism against gender-based violence for 16 days, starting on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25th and ending on Human Rights Day on December 10th – 16 Days of Activism.
How is 16 Days of Activism observed?
Individuals, schools, colleges, offices and NGOs around the world observe 16 Days of Activism in different ways and within their own geographical and cultural context. For example, in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya incident, people across India sought to make public spaces safer for girls and women in India by demanding stricter laws, establishing a women’s police force and even launching initiatives to ensure that boys and men are not prone to committing acts of violence against girls and women. During 16 Days of Activism, different methods can be used to raise awareness on the issue, learn more about the causes of these crimes and brainstorm on specific and practical solutions that can be implemented within the framework of the laws of India.
16 Days of Activism theme for 2024
Each year, 16 Days of Activism has a theme. The theme for 2024 is Unite To End Violence Against Women and the hashtag is #NoExcuse. The theme highlights the importance of multiple stakeholders working in partnership to achieve the goal of ending violence against women and girls. What does this mean? For example, the local authorities, police and courts that are focused on prevention, law enforcement and prosecution makes an impact in the lives of people and helps society to function in a better manner. Or, another angle that has been getting more attention is the importance of both men and women working together to make the world safe for women and girls. Recognizing violence against women and girls as an issue that both genders must contribute to eradicating is the first step toward real change.
What can I do this 16 Days of Activism?
Now that you have learned about 16 Days of Activism, you must be thinking about the ways you can join the global campaign and do something that will make an impact in addressing this crime and ending it. You might want to do something as an individual or with your friends or even as a part of your school, college, office or NGO:
Individuals
If you want to do something about this cause on your own, speak to your personal contacts or followers on social media to raise awareness on gender-based violence and share your thoughts on practical solutions to the problem. Speak to boys and men in your circle of friends and family members and encourage them to be a proactive part of the solution.
Schools and colleges
If you are a student, gather your classmates together and talk to your fellow students in your class, department or college cultural programs about how to keep yourselves safe and tackle the issue of violence against girls and women. Some ways to do this include equipping each other with helpline numbers, accompanying one another and reporting crimes.
Offices
In offices, sexual harassment at the workplace is a major issue that continues to demand attention. Ensure your organization has a fair POSH policy in place and contact your HR department to hold training sessions amongst employees to make sure that people understand the law and its requirements. Furthermore, connect with your colleagues to keep healthy channels of communication open.
NGOs
Non profits have a unique audience who are open to ideas on how to become changemakers and make the world a better place. NGOs can conduct creative and innovative activities to inspire people to get others talking about gender-based violence and come up with ways to reduce and end these crimes. Live sessions, webinars, street interviews or flash mobs are some ways to get started.
Take action this 16 Days of Activism!
Each time you read a news article about a female being harmed in a violent manner, anger and helplessness are the first emotions that come up, after which our minds race to find solutions to end these crimes. Remember that it is a collective grassroots effort that makes a change – and this includes you. Whether as an individual, group of friends, college, office or NGO, your contribution to end gender-based crimes is valuable and needed. Get started this 16 Days of Activism! #NoExcuse
📷: Marc Nozell
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
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