16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual global campaign led by members of the civil society to combat violence against women and children. Beginning on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concluding on December 10, Human Rights Day, the campaign emphasizes that violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. Initiated in 1991 during the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute, it has since mobilized individuals, organizations, and global entities like the United Nations to advocate for the eradication of violence against women and girls. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the profound impact of violence and abuse on women and children while striving for a society free from all forms of abuse.

Today, as conflicts and climate crises drive unprecedented levels of displacement, women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence. In such situations, many are forced to flee, endure unsafe living conditions, and navigate exploitative environments. These vulnerabilities often lead to sexual exploitation, abuse, and dangerous coping mechanisms for survival. Compounding this crisis is the underreporting and lack of investigation into gender-based violence, which perpetuates a cycle of impunity, silences survivors, and denies them justice and support.

For the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence 2024, we at HIDR Nepal have committed to learn, unlearn and relearn various intersectional aspects of the topic. We are making the campaign interactive and immersive rather than performative, so join us in fulfilling this year’s theme of “Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women”. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey through these 16 days.

Every 10 minutes, partners and family members killed a woman or a girl intentionally in 2023

In 2023, around 51,100 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members. This means that, on average, 140 women or girls are killed every day by someone in their own family.

Nearly one in three women experience violence in their lifetime. Girls are at particular risk of violence; 1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by their partners.

For thousands of women, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act; murder by partners and family members.

Femicide is the intentional killing of a women or girl because of her gender. It is a universal problem, and the most brutal, visible, and extreme manifestation of the cycle of gender-based violence that women and girls endure.

While 60 per cent of all female homicides are committed by intimate partners or other family members, only 12 per cent of all male homicides are perpetrated in the private sphere.

The crisis of gender-based violence is real. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls.

#UNITE and join us in this 16 Days of Activism against GBV to end violence against women.

#UNITE #noexcuses #GBV #femicide #femicideawareness #16DaysOfActivism #HIDR #Nepal

For more resources please visit:

https://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/16-days-of-activism

https://www.unwomen.org/.../facts-and-figures-ending...

Marital rape or spousal rape is the act of non-consensual vaginal, anal or oral penetration of the body if another person where the penetration is of a sexual nature, with any bodily part or with an object, as well as to any other non-consensual acts of a sexual nature, by a spouse or partner with whom the victim has been living in a partnership as recognised by the national law. Rape between married partners is a serious and prevalent form of domestic violence.

In case of Nepal, marital rape was not declared a crime in Muluki Ain 2020 before its amendment. The commencement of the new Muluki Criminal Code on Bhadra 1st, 2075 led to the incorporation of detailed provisions regarding marital rape. Section 219 (4), of Muluki Criminal Code states, “If the husband commits rape on his wife during the existence of the marital relationship between them, he shall be liable to a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.”

The crisis of gender-based violence is real. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls.

#UNITE and join us in this 16 Days of Activism against GBV to end violence against women.

#UNITE #noexcuses #GBV #femicide #femicideawareness #16DaysOfActivism #HIDR #Nepal

Gender-based violence in the workplace can take many forms, ranging from overt acts of physical violence to more subtle yet equally harmful behaviors. It includes bullying and both verbal and physical abuse by colleagues, supervisors, or managers, creating a toxic work environment. Sexual harassment, such as unwanted advances or inappropriate comments, is a common manifestation, alongside more severe offenses like coercive or transactional sex, sexual assault, and rape. Psychological abuse, including intimidation and threats, is another pervasive issue, often accompanied by unsafe working conditions, such as poor health and safety standards, inadequate sanitary facilities, or restrictive rules on their use. Additionally, GBV can manifest in exploitative practices like excessive working hours or unpredictable overtime demands, which disproportionately impact marginalized workers. 
Violence can and often does follow victims and perpetrators into the workplace. Threats of violence or actual incidents of violence may occur at work, sometimes with tragic results for victims, survivors and their coworkers. 
The crisis of gender-based violence is real. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls.
#UNITE and join us in this 16 Days of Activism against GBV to end violence against women.
#UNITE #noexcuses #GBV #workplace #workplaceviolence #16DaysOfActivism #HIDR #Nepal
For more resources please visit:
https://www.un.org/.../Executive-Summary-EGM-GBV... 
https://gbv.itcilo.org/.../brie.../show_paragraph/id/63.html
https://www.dol.gov/.../WB/GenderBasedViolenceFactSheet.pdf

We at HIDR created a problem, impact and solution tree for marital rape as a team activity. This activity provoked discussion and further discourse on marital rape. 

We at HIDR created slogans about gender based violence in the workplace. This further prompted discussions and discourse on workplace violence. 

Art is a powerful tool for advocacy and transformation. It gives voice to emotions, tells untold stories, and sparks meaningful conversations. Today, at HIDR, we spotlight creativity as a means to stand against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Please share a painting, poem, video or any other forms of art that captures your vision of a world free from GBV. Let's showcase art that amplifies the voices of survivors and raises awareness.

Let’s come together, share ideas, and create meaningful conversations to build safer and more inclusive workplaces. 

The crisis of gender-based violence is real. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls.

#UNITE and join us in this 16 Days of Activism against GBV to end violence against women.

#UNITE #noexcuses #GBV #16DaysOfActivism #HIDR #Nepal #EndGBV #UniteForChange

40% of women with disability have experienced physical violence and are also twice as likely to experience sexual violence as women without disabilities. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we amplify our voices to address the intersection of disability and gender-based violence.

Women and girls with disabilities are more likely to experience violence, including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and exploitation. As we continue the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, let’s commit to build safe spaces for everyone.

The crisis of gender-based violence is real. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls.

#UNITE and join us in this 16 Days of Activism against GBV to end violence against women.

#UNITE #noexcuses #GBV #workplace #16DaysOfActivism #HIDR #Nepal #EndGBV #UniteForChange #InternationalDayofPersonwithDisabilities

For more resources please visit:

https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/.../alarming...

https://asiapacific.unfpa.org/.../unfpa_gbv_and...

Gender-Based Violence doesn’t just leave physical scars—it deeply impacts mental health. Violence and power imbalances adversely affect the mental health of the survivors. Violence is, therefore, an important contributor to gender differences in poor mental health.

The crisis of gender-based violence is real. There is #NoExcuse for violence against women and girls.

#UNITE and join us in this 16 Days of Activism against GBV to end violence against women.

#UNITE #noexcuses #GBV #workplace #16DaysOfActivism #HIDR #Nepal #EndGBV #UniteForChange #MentalHealthMatters #MentalHealth #MentalHealthisHealthToo

Resources:

https://canadianwomen.org/.../gender-based-violence.../....

https://eige.europa.eu/.../gende.../gender-based-violence...