16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign running from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day). Launched in 1991 by the Center for Women's Global Leadership at Rutgers University, it has grown to include 6,000+ organizations in 187 countries. The campaign raises awareness about the crisis affecting 1 in 3 women globally, promotes evidence-based prevention through the RESPECT Women framework (Relationship skills, Empowering women, Services, Poverty reduction, Enabling environments, Child abuse prevention, Transforming norms), and calls for action from governments, tech companies, and individuals. The 2025 theme focuses on digital violence. The campaign is supported by UN Women's UNiTE initiative and features orange as its symbolic color.
Theme Areas
Behavior Goal
Raise global awareness of violence against women; mobilize governments and civil society for prevention and response; promote evidence-based strategies (RESPECT framework); challenge harmful norms
Target Audiences
Methods & Approaches
Implementers & Partners
- Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL)
- UN Women
- WHO
Donors & Sponsors
- UN system
- Multiple partners
Key Takeaways
- 1Annual focal point creates sustained global attention on VAW
- 26,000+ organizations in 187 countries demonstrates massive mobilization
- 3RESPECT framework provides evidence-based prevention strategies
- 4Strategic dates (Nov 25 - Dec 10) link VAW to human rights
- 5Annual themes (e.g., digital violence) keep campaign relevant to emerging issues