The United Nations is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November to 10 December 2023, under the global theme set by the UN Secretary-General’s campaign: “UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls.”
Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Despite many countries passing laws to combat violence against women, weak enforcement and discriminatory social norms remain significant problems.
Globally, an estimated 736 million women — almost one in three — have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life.
Violence against women has been heightened across different settings as well, including the workspace and online spaces.
For these reasons, on this year’s campaign we urge everyone to call on leaders worldwide to increase investments in preventing violence from happening in the first place.
Every effort invested in preventing violence against women is a step towards a safer, more equal, and prosperous world.
Opening remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the official UN commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN headquarters, 22 November 2023. Read more
As we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November, women and girls across Myanmar have said sexual violence, harassment and early marriage are their top safety and security concerns. Read more
Join us for a morning of solidarity and empowerment as we mark the #16Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence. Be part of a family-friendly bicycling tour, an open-air exhibition with inspiring stories from survivors and civil society actors as well as a dialogue between leaders and changemakers. Read more
This exhibition is a powerful showcase of the remarkable journeys of women who have embarked on international labour migration within the ASEAN region. Join us
Are you ready to join the digital revolution for equality? In line with UNiTE’s 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence campaign, the youth leaders of today believe this toolkit is an investment to prevent violence against women and girls. Join us
Our recent storytelling initiative brought together four feminist advocates from the Asia-Pacific region to share personal stories of bravery, healing and hope. They spoke about breaking free, reinvention, finding your voice, and the courage it takes to speak out against injustice and gender-based violence, to inspire equality across the region. The event was organized by UN Women, in partnership with The Moth, and generously supported by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the Republic of Korea, the Government of Sweden, and Charles & Keith. Watch the stories.
Tricia Ho - Standing Up: Stories of Courage and Resilience | Bangkok, Thailand
Katherine (Kat) Alano - Standing Up: Stories of Courage and Resilience | Bangkok, Thailand
Watcharapon Kukaewkasem (Sia) - Standing Up: Stories of Courage and Resilience | Bangkok, Thailand
Jiwon Park - Standing Up: Stories of Courage and Resilience | Bangkok, Thailand
Videos
Fiji: Stories of survival, hope and activism
House of Sarah is a faith-based civil society organization working to prevent violence against women and girls in Fiji, with support from UN Women, the European Union and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand. Watch the video
India: Empowering Women at risk of violence
The “Gender-Responsive COVID-19 Recovery in India” programme reached some of the most vulnerable women at risk of violence and impacted by the pandemic and increased their access to livelihood opportunities to increase their autonomy and capacity to negotiate violence-free relationships. Watch the video
Papua New Guinea: United for Equality Summit
The 4-day Summit “United for Equality: Walking the talk, bridging the gender gap” in Papua New Guinea started on 26 November bringing together youths under the Spotlight Initiative, civil society organizations, government officials and other stakeholders from across the country. Watch the video
Timor-Leste: Stories of survival, hope and Activism
The Spotlight Initiative, co-led by UN Women and grassroots organizations, is supporting the government to develop and implement policies to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence. Watch the video
This #16Days campaign by UN Women India and partners is calling on all stakeholders to take a pledge to end violence against women and girls and join a photo competition on safe spaces. Read more
