From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women until 10 December, Human Rights Day, multiple events across the region, such as marches, art installations, theater plays and sports activities will be organized as part of the UN System-wide initiatives for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, to urge actions to end this scourge that impacts one in three women worldwide.

More than a hundred activities were organized across Albania during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign by UN agencies, civil society organizations, private sector and government partners.

Over 700 people have attended the premiere of the theater performance „LIBERĂ” (“Free” - from Romanian), directed by Ianoș Petrașcu, at the National Philharmonic Hall in Chisinau, Moldova. The performance addresses the issue of violence against women and its repercussions on the future generation. It’s a play about patterns, written and unwritten laws of life. It is the story of a teenage girl, who faces gender stereotypes and her tumultuous path towards achieving her dream.

This year, UN Women and partners around the world are marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December) under the theme of “Orange the World: #HearMeToo". Coming on the heels of global movements and grassroots campaigns such as ‘#MeToo’, “#TimesUp”, “#BalanceTonPorc” “#NiUnaMenos”, #MeTooIndia and “HollaBack!”, the 16 Days of Activism will be a rallying moment to bring together...

On Tuesday, 20 November, not only did Kosovo’s Football Team get one step closer to qualify for the 2020 European Football Championship, it also took a stand to end gender-based violence targeting women and girls. In the decisive match contending for the top of the group and promotion in the UEFA Nations League, Kosovo played Azerbaijan and won the home game –4:0.

A 48-hour Hackathon in Sarajevo brought gender and tech experts together with youth from all around the country to generate new tech solutions to combat violence against women and girls.

Women survivors of violence and 22 organizations that form the "Life without Domestic Violence” National Coalition made an appeal to public authorities and the society to take immediate actions to combat violence against women.

I remember the morning that I received an aggressive message on social media. It was a comment on an article I shared about several Moldovan companies being sanctioned for the first time for using sexist images and text in their advertising.

Youth involvement is crucial to fight gender-based violence. To engage youth in the issue, UN Women took part in an open discussion at “Marin Barleti” University in Tirana. Agustela Nini-Pavli, UN Women Technical Project Analyst for ending violence against women, discussed current national legal frameworks and policy measures on violence against women in Albania and key obligations steaming from the international obligations under CEDAW and the Istanbul Convention with students of law and social sciences.

OK and UN Women will bring anonymous live-streaming to the OK Live app for one day on Saturday, 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The participants will be able to record anonymously their personal stories and share how they have taken action and what needs to be done to end violence against women and girls.

This year, UN Women and partners around the world are marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December) under the theme of “Leave No One Behind: End Violence against Women and Girls” . A host of public events—from marches, exhibits and concerts to sporting events—are being organized under the banner of the UN Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women by 2030, using the signature colour orange.

As part of Turkey’s 16 Days of Activism campaign activities, more than 100 students from Ankara universities attend a youth summit and read out their manifesto, Coloring the World with Equality for a Society without Violence, and share their recommendations to end gender-based discrimination.

Bosnia and Herzegovina ran a “turn off” violence against women campaign as part of its 16 Days of Activism. Through a symbolic “turn off” button, the campaign reached high schools, sports clubs and even bars across the country.

A powerful rally kicks off Albania’s national campaign against domestic violence, part of nationwide activities to launch the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

UN Women in Serbia joined the global 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence campaign by installing a giant interactive SOS telephone in Belgrade’s main square as a wake-up call for violence against women and girls.

Participants at an event co-organized by UN Women say gender-based violence has significant, far-reaching impacts on families and communities and impedes achieving 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include targets to end violence against women and girls.

This year, UN Women and partners around the world are marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December) under the theme of ‘Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls’.During the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, “Orange Events” will take place around the world including in Europe and Central Asia.

Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November, 2016

To mark International Women’s Day, UN Women and young gender equality champions joined gender activists and civil society organizations in a march organized by the UNiTE movement to draw public attention to the situation of women in the Kyrgyz Republic and call all everyone to “Step it Up” by taking concrete actions to advance gender equality.

Istanbul concludes 16 Days of Activism with a strong message to the world: Stop violence against women now!