16 Days of Activism… why, what, how?
11 November 2008, 01:01PM
"Safe Schools for girls" action, Kakarvitta, Nepal, 2007
16 Days of Activism is a period of global campaigning during which thousands of people and organisations all over the world take a stand against gender-based violence.
The period commences on 25 November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on 10 December, World Human Rights Day.
On 25 November we remember the three Mirabel sisters, political activists from the Dominican Republic who were assassinated on that day in 1960.
The sisters – Patria Mercedes (36), Minerva Argentina (34) and Antonia Maria Teresa (25) – were killed on the orders of their country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo, because of their opposition to his dictatorship. The women, who had been jailed and persecuted, became known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies", and their bravery and compassion has made them national and international heroines.
A human rights violation
The 16 Days event, now in its 18th year, was started by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership. The organisation choose the campaign’s beginning and end dates – 25 November and 10 December, Human Rights Day – to highlight that violence against women is a human rights violation.
Scores of diverse groups and individuals – including Amnesty International – now take part in 16 Days, together calling for an end to all types of violence against women. Each year they organise events in more than 130 countries across the globe, including demonstrations, conferences, exhibitions and performances.
This year, Amnesty is calling on people to take action by contacting your local MP and urging her/him to push for sustained and meaningful Government commitment to a National Plan of Action to eliminate violence against women.
In comes the United Nations
The United Nations joined the campaign in 1999, and declared 25 November to be International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
This year 16 Days also coincides with some other keys:
- 25 November – White Ribbon Day.
- 29 November – International Women’s Human Rights Defenders Day.
- 1 December - World AIDS Day
- 6 December - Montreal Massacre
- 9 December – 10th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration of Human Rights Defenders.
- 10 December – 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
What's on in your area
There are great events taking place all across Australia as part of 16 Days of Activism - find out more.
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These features are taken from our Human Rights Defender magazine - subscribe free now
Make an impact
Women in Papua New Guinea urgently need the Government to introduce a law against domestic violence and provide more safe houses for women and children fleeing violence.
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Comments
Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia. If you find a comment objectionable please contact the web editor.
narda mahanga
15 November 2008, 09:24AM
It is hard, especially for women in countries which do not observe human rights or even commit to democracy but women everywhere, especially in nations in which they are voting citizens must begin true change by saying no. Saying NO to abject slavery, NO to violence, NO to inequitable laws or work loads. No. When women take their place with males in making decisions which affect us all - only this way, can our world change for the better, for us all. As it is, our world is grossly in imbalance.
islami
15 November 2008, 08:40AM
Comments are submitted by members of the public and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Amnesty International Australia.
Barbara Lynn
13 November 2008, 04:51PM
Egalitarianism what a joke, in this country or any other.
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