The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international civil society (CSO) led campaign that takes place each year. It commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day - indicating that violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide.
The CSO-led campaign was originated by activists at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and was later also supported by the United Nations (UN) through its UNITE campaign. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
16 Days activities supported by SPC
The Pacific Community (SPC) supports civil society organisations (CSOs), member governments and other partners each year for 16 Days.
Activities by SPC:
- One-SPC event to open 16 Days of Activism, involving all 9 divisions and up to 800 staff who work across 22 Pacific island countries and territories.
- One-SPC social media campaign (16 posts over 16 Days) with a focus on research and gender.
- Media feature story for the Pacific region.
- Ongoing support for the Thursdays in Black campaign, for 30 Nov. and 7 Dec.
- Support to SPC Country Focal Officers (CFOs) and in-country partners who lead on 16 Days activities.
Launches by SPC:
- Launch of the PICCREW avatar creator by the Pacific Girl programme, targeting adolescent girls and young people, and hosted on SPC’s Pacific Data Hub.
- Launch of the CEDAW ‘build-up to 2025’ campaign.
- Launch of the ‘EQAP Gender Strategy’.
During the 16 Days, such as the International Day for Persons with Disabilities:
- Release of SPC’s new summary document showcasing the work SPC is doing in disability inclusion.
- Launch of the ‘Pacific Group on Disability Statistics’ start of a three-year project to develop disability statistics across multiple partners including PIF, PDF and UNICEF.
- Launch of the ‘People-centred approach – SPC Accessibility Checklist for Inclusive Events’
Theme for 2024
In the absence of a civil society-led theme for 16 Days in 2024, SPC is this year focussing on the thematic issue of ‘ending gender-based violence’ and the CSO colour theme of purple, with the hashtag #16Days2024.
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Summary of SPC’s thematic approach:
- Primary colour: purple (CSO preferred colour for 16 Days).
- Annual theme for SPC: end gender-based violence
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Background
The Pacific region has some of the highest rates of violence against women and girls (VAWG) recorded in the world – about twice the global average, with two in every three women in some Pacific countries impacted by gender-based violence. The most widespread form of violence against Pacific women relates to intimate partner violence and/or domestic violence, with up to 68 per cent of women reportedly experiencing physical or sexual violence by a partner in their lifetime in countries where prevalence studies have been undertaken.
SPC is committed to ending violence against women and girls by creating a workplace that is respectful of the rights of all with a zero-tolerance of violence against women, girls and children. SPC, through the work of its Human Rights and Social Development (HRSD) Division, supports members to deliver on their commitments to international human rights treaties and conventions and supports governments and CSOs with implementation of these commitments. HRSD is also SPC’s lead technical agency for supporting member countries with the implementation of their Family Protection and Domestic Violence legislation. The 2023 16-Day One-SPC campaign will be coordinated by PWL at SPC.
