16 Days of Activism 2009

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. The 16 Days Campaign has been used as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women. Women'sNet hosts information  about the campaign on it's website - including a calendar of events, and participates in the campaign through it's activities (see also the 'Take Back the Tech' campaign'). You can download the concept document here and also see the 365 national action plan to end violence against women and children, here.

You can participate in the campaign by:

• Blogging about any issues on gender based violence (click on "16 Days"  under 'Women'sNet Blogs' on the right of this page)
• Wear a white ribbon and supply white ribbons to staff members
• Add the Logo to your website and stationary for the duration of the campaign
• Run workshops and awareness raising events for staff, on violence against women
• Volunteer at a shelter, or service organisation, and create space and time for your staff to volunteer too. Find an organisation near you, here

More ideas? let us know! Done something? Tell us (and everyone) about it!

Our activities

• Photojournalism workshop with youth on Violence Against Women (01 - 02 December)
• ICT's and VAW (03 - 04 December)
• Launching Take Back The Tech Campaign in Soweto, painting and signing mural, hanging up clothing in commemoration of victims of Violence Against women and children.

To take part in these events, please contact Lebogang Marishane at tel: 011 429 0000