Today marks the beginning of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign starting today with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ending December 10 on International Human Rights Day.
Key dates throughout these 16 days include:
- November 29- International Women Human Rights Defenders Day and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
- December 1- World AIDS Day
- December 2- the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
- December 3- the International Day of Disabled Persons
- December 5- the International Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development
- December 6- the commemoration of the Montreal Massacre
- December 7- International Civil Aviation Day
- December 9- International Anti-Corruption Day
This year’s theme is From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women! In a roundabout way Feminist Activism will deal with militarizism by exploring masculinity. Over the next 15 days I will be posting pieces from guest authors, men who volunteered to write and share their thoughts on gender-based violence.
Authors come from France, Germany, Iran, Turkey, the UK and the US so please keep in mind that many authors are not native English speakers and the ideas expressed may not coincide with my own. Check back starting tomorrow to read some very insightful and varied opinions from some thoughtful and feminist men, or subscribe so the newest posts automatically land in your inbox!
If you’re inspired to participate in the 16 Days Campaign you can check out the United Nation’s UNiTE Say No to Violence suggestions of 16 actions for 16 days, or read and share UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelete’s 16 Steps Policy Agenda to end violence against women and girls. And wear a white ribbon!
Also, good thoughts and wishes of quick healing are with Mona Eltahawy, an American-Egyptian journalist who was recently brutalized and sexually assaulted by riot police in Cairo. The dangers of being a woman are compounded by the dangers of journalism, and vice versa, so let’s take the time to advocate for everyone’s human rights! See you back here tomorrow.
Related articles
- Today marks the start of the 16 days of activism against violence on women and children. Let’s wear our white ribbons to show our support (jahabitudes.wordpress.com)
- 16 Days of Activism: Will you be wearing your white ribbon? (africanfeminism.wordpress.com)
- 25 November: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (thefword.org.uk)
Feminist Activism 
November 25th, 2015 at 21:32
[…] Most people in the United States automatically equate November with Pilgrims & “Indians” and Thanksgiving, and while the tide of cognizant adults is turning, there are still millions of people in the USA who do not acknowledge our country’s horrific, genocidal, colonial history. I’ve written about Native American women’s activism in the States before, but today I want to bring your attention to Native American Heritage Month, and a few things you can do to help improve the lives of Native Americans still reeling from centuries of slaughter, forced migration, forced assimilation, and modern political policies like forced sterilization that deepen the mistrust indigenous folks have against white colonizers. While we all might not be able to give back the land our ancestors stole, there are a number of other things we can do to support our Original American neighbors. Today is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the kickoff of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. […]
November 26th, 2011 at 03:27
Some pictures from the picket protest:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.243678459029526.62134.100001621218668&type=1
November 26th, 2011 at 03:24
22 Romanian NGO’s organized a picket protest on Friday, November 25th , between 16.00-18.00 PM in front of the Romanian Parliament – the Chamber of Deputies, demanding improvement and proper application of the law on prevention and combating domestic violence.
NGO’s and individuals who have joined the protest criticize the lack of interest of members of Parliament and representatives of state institutions towards domestic violence. The main demands are the introduction in the law the order for protection of the victim and the order of restriction to perpetrator, along with proper budgeting and funding for domestic violence shelters. The legislation of most EU countries includes the order for protection of the victim and the order of restriction to perpetrator. Several bills demanding the same legislation in Romania were submitted to the Romanian Parliament, but their discussion was postponed indefinitely. Victims can no longer wait!
The aggressors abuse women because they can and because they are allowed. As long as the Government does not take the required legal measures, it becomes an accomplice to aggression!
According to the National Agency for Family Protection, in 2009 were registered over 12,000 cases of domestic violence, an increase of 8, 04% from 2008 and 41.81% compared to 2007. Compared with 2008, the number of women victims increased by 13.81%. Data for 2010 were not collected by the Agency since it was abolished by the Government after the reorganization of government agencies. Across the country, places in shelters are covering only 4.46% of support to victims. Last year, in eight counties there was no center for victims of domestic violence.
Moreover, Romania has a deeply poor legislation, which does not protect victims. Law no. 217/2003 on preventing and combating domestic violence proved dysfunctional. Protective order is a legal instrument necessary for the immediate safety of victims. The lack of shelters for victims is an additional argument for protective order to be introduced.
We cannot stand the silence anymore! Enough is enough. We’ve had enough with violence being considered a personal and private matter. It is a political issue. We’ve had enough of politicians who are accomplices of aggressors, and not victims’ representatives. We’ve had enough of disinterested MPs who are supposed to pass a law for real and not fictional protection of victims.
Over 200 demonstrators participated to protest in Izvor Park in front of the Chamber of Deputies, starting with 16:00 PM. Some women wore make-up and bandages to simulate the traces that physical abuse leaves on women. Violence against women should no longer be tolerated. Law makers must decide whether the right to life, physical and mental integrity, as the Romanian Constitution provides in Article 22, will be respected and accounted for by the introduction of protective and restriction orders.