16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025

Theme: UNiTE to end digital violence against all women and girls”.

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Girls Campaign (16 Days Campaign) is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually from 25th November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10th December (International Human Rights Day).

16 days of activism campaign started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It was used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

In support of these individuals and civil society initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched in 2008 the campaign UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women, which runs parallel to the 16 Days of Activism.

Every year, the UNITE Campaign focuses on a specific theme and this year’s 2025 is “UNITE! to end digital violence against all women and girls’’.

This year’s campaign will be marking the 34th anniversary since its adoption. The campaign has over the years raised awareness of the devastating impact that Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) has on women and children, and the social fabric of our society. It has also been used to highlight the societal and systemic causes of GBV, and to mobilise action at local, national, and international levels to eliminate all forms of gendered violence.

WCCT call to Actions for Communities and Individuals to End Gender-Based Violence

A. Be an activist against GBV in your homes, communities, work and positions:

• Challenge cultures and practices that perpetuate gender inequalities and consequent abuse of women and girls at personal and societal level.

B. Play your part:

• Reject and report abusers- Act and don’t look away!

• Do not protect abusers, report them!

• Do not engage in abusive activities and become an abuser- Stop abuse.

• Challenge and denounce cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequalities

• Be sensitive and supportive to GBV victims, share helpful information and support causes near you.

• Seek personal help to change harmful behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse

• Teach children values of gender equality

• Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content on internet and social media, including pornography, sexual solicitation

• Develop strategies that prevent and deal with gender based violence in your sector, workplace and communities.

• Organize targeted community outreach and dialogues on solution towards a gender equal society.

• Together, let us take actions to support the 16 Days of Activism for UNiTE to end violence against all women and girls in Sierra Leone”.