16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE

The Campaign

WOW! is part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign.  The 16-day period includes these significant dates: November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women;November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day; December 1, World AIDS Day; December 6, the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre and December 10, International Human Rights Day.

WOW! is collaborating in this campaign in several ways. From informational tables at several events in Oklahoma City, World Neighbors headquarters, to blogging in an international series on gender violence hosted by openDemocracy, WOW! is helping to raise awareness of this issue and promote action.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign has helped to raise awareness about violence against women and has highlighted the effects of this violence globally since 1991. This year’s theme, Demanding Implementation, Challenging Obstacles: End Violence Against Women, is dedicated to dismantling obstacles and overcoming the challenges posed by social attitudes and policies that continue to overlook and perpetuate violence against women. For more information on the 16 Days Campaign click here.

To learn more about World Neighbors work to end violence against women click here.

International Day Against Violence Against Women

On December 17, 1999 the United Nations declared November 25 the International Day Against Violence Against  Women, in commemoration of the Mirabal sisters. The Mirabal sisters were political activists in the Dominican Republic who were brutally assassinated on the orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. The International Day Against Violence Against Women is the first day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. To read more about the Mirabal sisters click here.

International Women Human Rights Defenders Day

The International Women Human Rights Defenders Day (WHRD) is an international campaign for the recognition and protection of women human rights defenders who are activists advocating for the realization of human rights for all. The campaign asserts that women fighting for human rights and women’s rights face specific violations when defending human rights of women.  It calls attention to the violations that women activists experience because of their gender.  To learn more about Women Human Rights Defenders click here.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness about HIV and AIDS. This year's theme is Leadership, with the slogan Take the Lead: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise. An estimated 38.6 million people worldwide are living with HIV and more than 25 million people having died of AIDS since 1981. This December 1 you can join millions of others in the fight against HIV/AIDS and take the lead in your community by sharing important HIV/AIDS information. To learn more about World AIDS Day click here.

Be sure to read the latest issue brief on HIV/AIDS and see how World Neighbors is working on prevention, care and support.

The Montreal Massacre

December 6, 1989, was the day that Marc Lépine, a 25-year-old student, entered the École Polytechnique in Montreal, Canada, and committed one of the most horrific crimes Canada has ever seen. After crying “J'haïs les féminists (I hate feminists),” Lépine murdered 13 female engineering students, one female secretary, and then turned his weapon upon himself. Lépine blamed many of the problems in his life, including not being accepted into engineering school, on females. This eventually manifested itself in what is now called the “Montreal Massacre.” To learn more about the Montreal Massacre click here.

International Human Rights Day

December 10, 1948, United Nations General Assembly's adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The goals of International Human Rights Day are to increase the level of awareness and understanding of human rights and to promote an increased demand for human rights education and training.

Take Action and Get Involved

Join WOW! and help make a difference around the world.

UNIFEM sign the book and say "no!" to violence against women.

Learn about Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women Campaign.

Sign the World AIDS Day Pledge.