November 25^th & 16 Days of Activism

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly resolved “that violence against women constitutes a violation of the rights and freedoms of women ... that there is a need for a clear and comprehensive definition of violence against women, a clear statement of the rights to be applied to ensure the elimination of all violence against women in all its forms, a commitment by States ... and a commitment by the international community at large to the elimination of violence against women” (Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women).

In December 1999, the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134 declaring November 25th the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day for the Elimination of 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. The 16 Days Campaign has been adopted as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

Events & Activities

UNIFEM is sponsoring or supporting numerous events and activities to commemorate November 25th and the 16 Days of Activism campaign. The following are a selection:

• Africa
• Arab States
• Asia & the Pacific
• Central and Eastern Europe & Commonwealth of Independent States
• Latin America & the Caribbean
• National Committees for UNIFEM