16 Days of Activism
In conflict zones, for every one rape that is reported, between 10-20 are not. Together we can break the silence.
Join us in taking action during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and help raise awareness of violence against women and girls.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
1 in 3 Women experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetime
Source: WHO
16 days of action
40% Less than 40% of the women who experience violence seek help of any sort
Source: UN Women
16 Days of activism
against gender-based violence
Since 1991, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence takes place every year between 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and 10th December (Human Rights Day) to raise awareness of, and prevent violence against women and girls.
Violence against women takes many forms, from harassment to intimate partner violence, to sexual violence being used as a weapon of war.
Women for Women International was established in 1993 to help survivors of sexual violence during the 1992 - 1995 conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the belief that stronger women build stronger nations. We continue to work with the most socially excluded women in countries affected by conflict across the world.
Most of the women we work with are affected by violence against women, including sexual violence. It is an obstacle in allowing them to live dignified lives, free from fear.
In addition to sexual violence being used as a weapon of war, at times of crisis women are more likely to face domestic violence. But it is not a reality they are accepting. They dare to stand up and say, "No more!"
#SheDares to speak out against injustice. Will you dare to stand with her and support her bravery?
What you can do to mark 16 Days of Activism
Stigma stops women from speaking about their experiences of violence
Fear and shame stop people from reporting or discussing their experiences of violence, but we must break the silence in order to end it. Each and every one of us has the power to raise our voices against dangerous norms and behaviours.
Your voice, your actions, have the power to help make a change.
#SheDares, will you?
#SheDares Self-Defence Workshop
Wednesday, 6th December
Join us to learn the fundamentals of self-defence in this free woman-led, intensive, and trauma-informed virtual workshop. The goal is to make you feel confident, secure, and powerful in your body.
The instructor, Colleen is the founder of Guerrera Fit, a personal trainer, group fitness instructor, athlete, self-defence expert, and martial artist. She has over 10 years of experience as a fitness professional, working to help people feel strong, confident, and powerful in their bodies.
YOU DONATE IT, WE'LL DOUBLE IT
In conflict zones, for every 1 rape that is reported, between 10-20 are not. Join us in taking action during 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and support brave survivors who dare to speak up against violence.
Donate before midnight on 1st December and your donation will be doubled at no extra cost to you.
16 DAYS, 16 ACTIONS FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS
- Learn about violence against women and what can be done
- Use your voice on social media to bring awareness to Violence Against Women
- Become an ally for women survivors of war and helped them gain the tools to realise their power and challenge Violene Against Women in their communities
Learn about Violence Against Women
16 facts you need to know
Did you know that in conflict zones, for every one rape that is reported, between 10-20 are not?
Read our blog to learn 16 facts about violence against women.
WHAT'S YOUR ACTIVISM STYLE
Take this quiz to find out!
This quiz will take less than 5 minutes and at the end, you will be given tips that will help you use your strengths for greater impact.
SUPPORT AND RECEIVE AN EXCLUSIVE BRACELET
Join the #SheDares global movement by supporting courageous women survivors of war who stand up for their rights despite the risks.
Give a one-off gift of £25 minimum or a regular gift of £15/month minimum and receive a limited edition #SheDares bracelet handmade by women survivors of war, as worn by Hillary Clinton, Priyanka Chopra, Alison Pill and many more incredible supporters.
500,000 up to 500,000 women and girls were raped in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda
Source: UN Women
50,000 up to 50,000 women were raped in the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Source: UN Women
51% of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime
Source: UN Women
Oldest weapon of war
Sexual violence is often referred to as war’s oldest, most silenced, and least-condemned crime
In conflict-affected and fragile states, sexual violence is often employed as both a deliberate and strategic tactic of war and terrorism to instill fear and control and displace communities already under distress.
Keep reading
Women’s lived experiences in the Democratic Republic of Congo expose what sexual violence in conflict truly looks like, and what we must do to end it.
Read these books that break the silence on violence against women. Help end this injustice by sharing the experiences of survivors and raising your voice.
Solange
subtitle:
There are many young girls who come from my village who are rape victims. When they come I try to encourage them, telling them "You still have life, one still has value." I tell them that they should hope for the future.
Grace and Hadiza are two brave women who are challenging norms and making their voices heard as they advocate for change in their communities in northern Nigeria. Using radio, they are helping women to speak up against gender-based violence and empowering them to get the medical and legal support . Graduates from the Stronger Women, Stronger Nations Programme, these two women are an example of what can be achieved when women believe in the #PowerToChange accepted norms.
Globally, one third of women (736 million) have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, especially in fragile and conflict-affected states. We spoke to women around the world about their attitudes towards violence against women. Read our policy briefs, highlighting community views and amplifying the experiences of the most marginalised.