16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence (2011)

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the ensuing 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence are commemorated every year around the world to raise awareness and trigger action on this pervasive human rights violation.

This year, UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet unveiled a 16 Step Policy Agenda to address the issue. Ending violence against women is one of UN Women's priority areas. UN Women also coordinates the UN Secretary-General's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign and supports widespread social mobilization through its Say NO - UNiTE to End Violence against Women platform. In addition, UN Women manages the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women which commemorates its 15^th anniversary in 2011.

Statements & Speeches

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Message for 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence

Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe. It includes rape, domestic violence, harassment at work, abuse in school, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in armed conflicts. It is predominantly inflicted by men.[...] On this International Day, I urge governments and partners around the world to harness the energy, ideas and leadership of young people to help us to end this pandemic of violence. Read more »

UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet's Message on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

As a young girl in Chile, I heard a common saying: “quien te quiere, te aporrea“ (who loves you, beats you). I recall a woman say: “That's just the way it is. Today as societies become more just, democratic and egalitarian, there is growing awareness that violence against women is neither inevitable nor acceptable[...] by standing up against violence against women, we will come closer to peace, justice and equality. Read more »

15 Years of the United Nations Trust Fund

2011 marks the 15 year anniversary of the United Nations Trust Fund to End violence against Women. The UN Trust Fund was established in 1996 by UN General Assembly resolution 50/166 and is managed by UN Women on behalf of the UN system. It is a multilateral grant-making mechanism exclusively devoted to supporting local and national efforts to end violence against women and girls worldwide.

On November 23, 2011 the UN Trust Fund announced a new global Call for Proposals to support country-level programmes to end violence against women and girls. Read more »

16 Steps Policy Agenda

In her first message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, since UN Women became operational earlier this year, Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet outlines a comprehensive policy agenda to end violence against women globally. Focusing on the three critical pillars of prevention, protection and provision of services, Ms. Bachelet's call for action, urges world leaders to mobilize political will and investment to ensure that women can live a life without violence. Read more»

Stories

Cambodia: Reclaiming Life after Acid Attacks

A cook in the Cambodian city Siem Reap, Chhean was compelled to take action against her sister's tyrannical brother-in-law when in 2008 he sold his two-year-old daughter to a trafficking ring so he could buy a new motorbike. Chhean, a widow and sole provider for her four children, urged her sister Baen to file a law suit and openly demanded that her brother-in-law get the two year old back. Instead, her brother-in-law threatened Chean's life. Read more»

Guatemala: Young Mayan Women Shape the Future

At 24 years old, Laura has already endured a lifetime of suffering. Growing up in an indigenous community in Quetzaltenango, in western Guatemala, Laura lost her mother at the tender age of 13. She dropped out of school to become the substitute mother for her eight siblings. Her father turned to alcohol, which fueled violence. Laura was his regular victim. Read more»

Roma women turning the tide of violence and discrimination

“Many women, especially in Roma communities, suffer from several forms violence without even recognizing it, says Indira Bajramovi?, a pioneer for Roma women's rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are working to make violence against women recognized in all its forms and to support survivors in claiming their rights and seeking the protection they are entitled to. Read more »

Videos

Cambodia: Reclaiming Life after Acid Attacks

Acid attacks are a widespread human rights violation most often perpetrated against women. Yet many survivors do not have access to adequate legal, medical and psychological support. With support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) responds to the needs of women and girls affected by acid attacks and implements measures to prevent attacks from happening in the first place and to bring perpetrators to justice. The project serves 2,000 women and their communities in Cambodia, Nepal, and Uganda. (Producer: UN Women; Date of Release: November 2011)

Cambodia: Youth Leaders Take On Domestic Violence

Youth play an important role in shaping the future free of violence. With support from the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, Youth Star Cambodia enlisted 20 university graduates for volunteer service in rural districts for youth-led mobilization to address domestic violence. By empowering their peers to realize their potential as community actors, Youth Star volunteers opened a space for dialogue and vitalized communities to take action on previously taboo issues. (Producer: UN Women; Date of Release: November 2011)

For more videos about the inspiring work of the UN Trust Fund and its grantees, please click here.

Take Action

16 Ways to Say NO to Violence against Women
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