16 Days of Activism against women and children violence

Background

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and in South Africa December 10, Human Rights Day.

South Africa

Although the global campaign focuses on violence against women only, South Africa added children to its campaign because of the high incidence of child abuse in the country.

South Africa is still home to high levels of violence against its women and children, despite a world-renowned Constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguard women’s rights. During this time, the South African Government runs a 16 Days of Activism Campaign to make people aware of the negative impact of violence on women and children and to act against abuse. We are firmly committed to lead a coordinated effort to sustain the campaign into its next decade.

2009 marks the 10-year anniversary of the 16 Days Campaign in South Africa. In South Africa, the campaign focuses on the abuse of women and children, which are reinforced by the year long 365 Days Programme.
Every year, government, civil-society organisations and the business sector work together to broaden the impact of the campaign. By supporting this campaign, thousands of South Africans have also helped to increase awareness of abuse and build support for victims and survivors of abuse.

White Ribbon

The white ribbon, symbolises the commitment of the wearer to “never commit or condone violence against women and children, and to speak out about violence where they see it.”

Sources:

http://www.womensnet.org.za/campaign/16-days-activism-against-gender-violence
http://www.southafrica.info/public_services/citizens/your_rights/16days.htm
http://www.info.gov.za/events/national/16days.htm