News

16 Days of Activism to End VAW in Latin America and the Caribbean – Call for Action

Date: 17 October 2006

2006 marks the 16th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign. Since 1991, the 16 Days campaign has worked to increase the visibility of violence against women (VAW) as a human rights violation. This multi-faceted campaign involves governments, women activists, journalists, UN agencies and numerous NGOs throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to enhance prevention efforts, end impunity and use international human rights instruments to address VAW as a human rights violation, a public health crisis and a threat to human security and development.

This year's campaign (25 November – 10 December 2006) consists of a concerted effort to raise awareness and act with a focus on four themes:

• 16 Years of 16 Days: what we have achieved and what remains to be done;
• Advancing Human Rights: eliminating violence using international mandates and national laws;
• Advancing Human Rights: eliminating VAW among all people, including the most vulnerable (HIV positive and indigenous women), is a responsibility of all, men and women;
• VAW: learning about feminicide.

The Call for Action and Campaign Kit are available in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

View a preview of the Campaign's public service announcement in Spanish, Portuguese and English.