The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign raises awareness and encourages people to act to prevent violence on the basis of gender. The 16 days start on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and will end on December 10, Human Rights Day.
The Government of Canada describes gender-based violence as violence faced due to gender, gender expression, gender identity, or perceived gender. Started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, 16 Days of Activism aimed to help prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls. Today, the campaign has spread to encompass all those who are affected by gender-based violence, including Indigenous peoples, those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women living with disabilities.
Gender-based violence is an international issue that is equally present in Canada. According to the Canadian Government’s self-reported data collection, 44 percent of women reported experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Data also shows that women between the ages of 15 and 24, Indigenous women, and women who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are at greater risk of experiencing gender-based violence violence.
As a response, the Government of Canada is campaigning this year with the theme of “Come Together, Act Now.” The campaign emphasizes the importance of all Canadians “changing social norms, attitudes, and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence”.
What those in and outside of government can additionally do is simple: prevent global violence by taking personal action. On theme, the Canadian government published “16 ways to end gender-based violence.” The article initially highlights educating ourselves. It is crucial to acknowledge that everyone can be a victim of gender-based violence and that the risk of experiencing violence is not the same for everyone. Individuals should know what to do if someone asks for help, whether that be calling 911 in the moment, or the proper resources for support after the acts of violence.
Additionally, this education needs to turn into action. We must stop victim-blaming and instead provide the support individuals might need. We must be alert to non-physical violence, understanding that verbal and emotional aspects still lead to harm. It is important to accept and work towards equality such as avoiding gender stereotypes, challenging social norms, and removing negative stigma from the topic to prevent shame or fear in victims.
It is equally important to educate others on the topic. Violence is a learned behaviour, so we should educate youth on consent and boundaries, as well as engage men and boys in the conversation, creating allies for change.
Other ways to show your support can be as simple as sharing the small actions you take in your daily life – though it is important to understand this is not possible for everyone. We can promote gender diversity and safety in workplaces, we can take the individual aspects of prevention to a global and societal level, achieving the goal of protecting our communities from gender-based violence.
During these 16 days of activism, you can attend and support activities done in our community as a step in the right direction, but it is important to remember that ways of prevention should become a part of each individual’s life, addressing the issue of gender-based violence at its core.
