Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) November 25 to December 10, 2024

The global campaign for Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) begins every year on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women), and it concludes on December 10 (International Human Rights Day). 

Historically, these sixteen days commemorate the Mirabal sisters, who faced death for their protests against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic and went on to become symbols of feminist and democratic resistance. They emphasised the significance of speaking out against repression and all forms of violence against women, much like the feminist movements around the world.

With the ongoing genocide in Palestine, attacks on Lebanon, and an increase in violence from war, conflict, occupation, and forced displacement in various regions such as South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Myanmar, Tigray, Ukraine, and many more, we face a world order that is growing more supremacist and imperialist. People's lives are shaped by unspeakable violence, starvation, economic oppression and social and political domination and control. Human rights and health rights are being denied, and democratic processes are being completely undermined. 

Violence, against women, gender-diverse persons, women with disabilities, adolescents/young people, racially marginalised groups, and other made-marginalised persons, is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today. GBV remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding it, and it continues to occur at an alarming scale in every sphere. Furthermore, increasing levels of violence have an impact on patients and healthcare workers at all levels, both inside the health system and outside of it. 

The patriarchal intersections of violence with colonialism, capitalism, racism, casteism, fundamentalism, imperialism, and heteronormativity need an even closer interrogation and analysis to build a nuanced understanding and inform our intersectional activism in addressing these injustices. 

Our resistance to violence means speaking out against the power of authoritarian democracies, power hierarchies, often normalised forms of discrimination  & injustices, and oppressive inequities. Through our campaign, we must continue to fight for the rights of survivors who face GBV, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Every year, we at the People's Health Movement (PHM) collaborate with women's rights organisations, activists, and collectives working on GBV in various countries. The 16 Days campaign is an opportunity to strengthen our action against violence both inside and outside of movements and to reaffirm our commitments to health and gender justice. 

Let us unite to strengthen this year's campaign against anti-gender ideology and anti-rights movements to achieve a more gender-just world. 

Let us come together to amplify voices and deepen our solidarity with the ongoing struggles in Palestine and other parts of the world.

Here are a few suggestions for this year’s campaign, which we would like you to share within your regions and networks.
o   Share messages of hope, encouragement, tragedy, and resistance with each other. (in a language with which you are comfortable)
o   Record short clips of yourself (only if you are comfortable) talking about how to build and strengthen global solidarities against GBV (in a language with which you are comfortable)
o   Send videos, photos, letters, and stories of solidarity to share as we approach the 16 Days campaign. 
o   Share ideas for Regional campaigns that can be amplified through PHM media channels 
o   Develop a statement emerging from the campaign
o   Plans beyond 16 Days to address GBV in your regions and countries.
o   Solidarity messages, statements with Palestine

PHM will co-create a short video to launch the campaign (in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic) and also share the hashtags, slogans and other templates that can be used in your regions.

We request a small group of members from the Gender Justice thematic group to volunteer from MENA, Latin America, Africa, South & South East Asia, and Europe and help us with the short video and other activities.

Each event or date noted presents opportunities for women’s and human rights activism, either through participation or by creating resources to share in your regional / country circles.

Join the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign and share your responses with Sarojini N [email protected] and Miguel Garcia: [email protected]

In solidarity
Sarojini N (Health For All Campaign, PHM); 
Christy  Braham, Adsa Fatima, Camila Giugliani (Gender Justice Thematic Group); 
Deepika Joshi and Leonardo Mattos (HFA Campaign, PHM Global Secretariat) and Miguel Garcia (Communications, PHM Global Secretariat)