In Focus: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

Take action | Message |Believe survivors. Act now. |Stories of change |Know the issue

The United Nations is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November to 10 December 2021, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign: “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”

Nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters. A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that 2 in 3 women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity. Only 1 in 10 women said that victims would go to the police for help.

While pervasive, gender-based violence is not inevitable. It can and must be prevented. Stopping this violence starts with believing survivors, adopting comprehensive and inclusive approaches that tackle the root causes, transform harmful social norms, and empower women and girls. With survivor-centred essential services across policing, justice, health, and social sectors, and sufficient financing for the women’s rights agenda, we can end gender-based violence.

The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, the only global grant-making mechanism dedicated to ending and preventing all forms of violence against women, has announced a special fundraising challenge, #Give25forUNTF25, marking 25 years of grant-making to support women’s organizations around the world.

Take action

You can take action during the 16 Days of Activism. Here are some ideas:

Message from the Executive Director

Read the message

Believe survivors. Act now.

Stories of change

Empowering students in Albanian schools through self-defense training

Take Five: “It was my job to scream for the victims!”

Natia Merebashvili. Photo: Roland Rizhmadze — Take Five: “We must raise awareness, to change society’s attitudes towards violence against women and to prevent such crimes”

Roma women contribute to making cities safer in Eastern Ukraine

Know the issue

Types of violence against women and girls

The signs of relationship abuse and how to help

See our coverage of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence from previous years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011