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, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and women living with disabilities.
Gender-based violence is an international issue that is equally present in Canada. As part of my research on gender-based violence, I interviewed Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Violence of Canada, Minister Ien. Minister Ien sees fighting for women’s rights as something women are born into. Describing herself as someone who has “occupied a lot of spaces where [she] was an only.” As someone representing not just herself, but many communities, her aim is “to break down barriers.” She says that to her core being, she knows that women deserve equality. It is not something we should be fighting for, but we are. Her motto is that “none of us are free until we all are.”
Minister Ien describes the status of gender-based violence in Canada as “not where [she] want[s] it to be.” There has been a surge in gender-based and intimate partner violence since COVID-19. The government had to tell people to stay home for safety, but for some people, home was not safe either. The issue, according to Minister Ien, is that “knowledge is lacking.” People are not informed about the extent of this crisis and what to do if they ever encounter instances of gender-based violence.
As a response, the Canadian government has been collecting funds of up to 500 million dollars. This money has been going into local organizations, so women have a place to go to, phone somebody, and have the support systems they need. Moreover, this year, Canada has adopted the theme “Come Together, Act Now” for 16 Days of Activism. The campaign focuses on everybody working to raise awareness and prevent gender-based violence. Minister Ien says when she speaks to crowds, she is “preaching to the converted” because she talks to women, who already know the issue. She wants to speak to men who aren’t as knowledgeable about the details of violence. She says that without speaking to and including men in the fight, the world will never see the end of it. “Come Together” means humanity, including men and boys.
Boys are being told not to cry or show emotion which Minister Ien sees as a “misogynistic way of upbringing.” She says men need to be taught about healthy relationships, consent, and expressing emotions. If they are able to understand and learn what healthy relationships are, they can become healthy men who know what abuse is and how to stay away from it.
Another aspect of the theme is the “It’s Not Just,” a youth awareness campaign that highlights that violence is not always physical abuse. The campaign demonstrates that violence may be financial, psychological, or sexual as well. It is important to recognize the variations and learn how to help those experiencing gender-based violence, whether it be loud and direct or quiet and indirect.
Overall, the Canadian government and Minister Ien recognize that gender-based violence is an ongoing issue that requires ongoing attention and prevention efforts. The goal of the 16 Days of Activism is to bring wider audiences to join the effort to prevent abuse in all of its forms and protect women in multiple communities.
