Written by: Zainab Attarwali
The Global 16 Days of Activism Campaign is a powerful movement calling for the elimination of gender-based violence (GBV). Launched in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) and feminist leaders at the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute, this campaign has become a global platform for action, education, and change. Every year, from November 25 (International Day Against Violence Against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day), people worldwide come together to challenge violence and promote gender justice.
Violence Against Women in Australia: A National Crisis
In Australia, violence against women is not just a pervasive issue—it is a national crisis. On 28 April 2024, the Prime Minister declared the severity of the situation, revealing that:
One woman is killed every four days.
Disturbing Trends in Domestic Violence and Homicide
- 58 women were victims of domestic homicide in 2023, a sharp increase from 35 in 2022 and 33 in 2021.
- In New South Wales, between 2000 and 2022, 331 women were killed in domestic violence-related homicides out of a total of 550 such cases.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are disproportionately affected, with homicide victimisation rates at 3.07 per 100,000, compared to 0.45 per 100,000 for non-Indigenous women.
Certain communities face heightened risks of domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV)
- Women with disabilities are more likely to experience violence than women without disabilities.
- Refugee and migrant women encounter additional barriers to reporting abuse and seeking support.
- Members of LGBTIQA+ communities may suffer abuse in intimate or familial relationships, with fears that disclosing violence will lead to discrimination or stigmatisation.
Why the Campaign Is Important: Raising Awareness of Gender-Based Violence
GBV remains one of the most pervasive and devastating human rights violations, affecting millions of women and girls globally. GBV is a human rights issue. The campaign amplifies awareness by dedicating 16 days to this cause, ensuring the issue is not overlooked. The alignment of the campaign’s timeline—from the day against violence against women to Human Rights Day—highlights the intrinsic link between gender justice and human rights. It underscores that achieving equality and safety for women is fundamental to realising universal human rights.
The Call to Action
The 16 Days of Activism is not just about reflection—it’s about action. Whether through participating in events, sharing resources, advocating for policy changes, or supporting survivors, everyone has a role to play in challenging GBV. By engaging with this campaign, we can collectively work towards a world where gender justice is the norm, not the exception.
What is The Freedom Hub’s Part in this campaign?
What does any of this have to do with The Freedom Hub? Great question.
Motivated by the UN’s 16 Days of Activism, The Freedom Hub started 16 Days of Freedom, releasing a daily blog to spread awareness and information about ending violence against women and sharing stories of freedom from modern slavery over sixteen days.
Motivated by the UN’s 16 Days of Activism, The Freedom Hub started 16 Days of Freedom a number of years ago. We released a daily blog to spread awareness and information about ending violence against women through the lens of modern slavery. We have shared many stories of freedom from modern slavery.
We would encourage you to read them on our website: HERE
Want to know more? You can read the UN Report “Femicides in 2023: Global estimates of intimate partner/family member femicides“.
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