Governments have the responsibility to protect and promote the human rights of women and girls, and ensure their economic, legal, social and political empowerment, as a means to prevent violence against them. They should also ensure the reform of gender discriminatory laws and policies that prevent women from leaving abusive and violent relationships.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign which takes place each year, and runs from November 25, (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women), to 10 December (Human Rights Day), also encompassing other important key dates. European Union have joined the campaign.
The ‘16 Days Campaign’ is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of violence against women and girls. It originated from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991.
This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence occur at a critical juncture for efforts to end violence against women and girls (VAW/G) as the world gears up to mark the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Millennium Development Goals reach their deadline, and a new global development agenda takes shape.
This moment therefore provides an important opportunity to galvanize additional attention around the issue of violence against women and girls.
