BLOGGING THE VIEW: 5 things you should know about the 16 Days campaign

You will no doubt have seen media reports around the 16 Days of Activism campaign – an incredibly vital drive in a country with one of the highest GBV rates in the world.

According to the latest quarterly police statistics, 881 women and 293 children were murdered in just three months.

These alarming statistics are only going to grow if campaigns like these aren’t taken seriously.

Here’s what you should know.

1. Why is it 16 Days?

The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign (aka 16 Days) is a UN campaign that takes place annually from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

2. Who started it?

The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and is used as an organising strategy around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

3. What is South Africa doing?

Considering the extent of GBV in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa implemented the Emergency Response Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in September 2019.

The 16 Days campaign forms the centre of the government’s 365 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

There will be several civil society, private sector and government-hosted dialogues and activities to foster a collaborative effort in dealing with GBVF.

4. What is being done globally?

In support of 16 Days, the UN secretary-general launched UNITE by 2030 to End Violence against Women in 2008.

This year’s theme is ‘Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls’.

The campaign calls on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls by sharing the actions they are taking to create a world free from violence towards women.

This campaign also calls on governments to share how they are investing in GBV prevention.

5. What can you do?

By educating yourself around GBV, you’re already taking a step in the right direction. Here are some other ways you can contribute towards ending this violent scourge:

· Challenge cultures and practices that perpetuate gender inequalities and consequent abuse of women and children
· Reject and report abusers

· Be sensitive and supportive of GBV victims

· Seek personal help to change harmful behaviour such as alcohol and substance abuse

· Teach children the values of gender equality

· Protect children from exposure to violence and harmful content

· Develop policies that prevent and deal with GBV in your sector, workplace and communities

· Organise targeted community outreach and dialogues on solutions for a gender-equal society

SOURCES:
https://www.gov.za/16DaysOfActivism2023
https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/16-days-of-activism
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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