Defend International has joined over 5,000 NGOs from over 150 countries around the globe to mark the 16 Days of Activisim Against Gender Based Violence, which starts on November 25 and ends on December 10.
Letters were sent to MENA countries, expressing gratitude for their commitment undertaken upon the adoption in 1993 of the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, and urging them to act on these promises.
16 Days of Activism Campaign
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign calls for the elimination of all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls by raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human right and public health issue. It is an international campaign, which started in 1991, sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership [1].The dates have been chosen to coincide with two internationally recognised days: November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 10, International Human Rights Day. The dates indicate the link between gender-based violence and human rights violation.
Defend International has adopted the same goals as the Center for Women’s Global Leadership regarding this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence [2]. The three long-term goals are:
- End Violence Perpetrated by State Actors
Demand: States are urged to end impunity of perpetrators and to respect, protect, and promote the human rights of all people, also women’s human rights defenders.
- Domestic Violence and the Role of Small Arms
Demand: Ensure women’s rights to live free from violence and stronger reforms against the proliferation of small arms.
- Sexual Violence During and After Conflict
Demand: Ensure women’s rights to live free from violence and stronger reforms against the proliferation of small arms.
Defend International and its members are mobilising to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.
* To mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign, Dr. Widad, co-founder of Defend International, took part in apanel discussion that was live streamed from Stockholm. Dr. Widad provided recommendations on ways to end violence against women and talked about women’s empowerment, especially in the MENA region. She specifically discussed ways to include men in the fight against gender-based violence.
* On 26 November 2013, Dr. Widad gave an interview to the Australian Radio 2000 FM (Sydney) on the increasing levels of executions in Iran, Iran talks with the G5+1, President Rouhani’s policy, Syrian crisis and violations of human rights in Syria, and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign. Among other suggestions, Dr. Widad encouraged human rights defenders in the MENA region to adopt a two-track approach by considering men as partners with women in the process of ending violence against girls and women.
* To mark the end of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign, Dr. Widad was invited to Brussels to discuss violence perpetrated by states actors and sexual violence during and after conflict.
The following are some of the activities planned by Defend International:
DI in Norway
- Lobbying and advocacy action plan
Letters will be sent to MENA countries, expressing gratitude for their commitment undertaken upon the adoption in 1993 of the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, and urging them to act on these promises. Furthermore DI will be targeting countries in the region calling for support of women’s human rights by proclaiming the period between November 25 – December 10 as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence throughout their communities.
- Press release calling on MENA countries to take action on the commitments they have made to ending armed violence, including domestic violence, against women.
DI throughout the MENA region:
- Meetings with high-level officials
DI members are mobilsing parliamentarians and politicians to realize the long-term goals of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign. Articles during the occasion will be published.
- Public meetings in affected areas
Hosting workshops on international conventions and resolutions 1325 and 1820.
- Media work on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
Contact journalists to write articles on the United Nations’ formal recognition of November 25th as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.