16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a worldwide campaign that seeks to eradicate violence against women and girls. Every year, it begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day. The period includes Universal Children’s Day and World AIDS Day.
The South African government organizes a 16 Days of Activism Campaign at this time to raise awareness of the harm that violence has on women and children and to encourage people to take action against it. We are steadfastly committed to organizing a concerted effort to continue the campaign over the ensuing ten years. The government, civil society organizations, and the business community collaborate each year to increase the campaign’s impact. Numerous South Africans have contributed to raising abuse awareness and developing support for abuse victims and survivors by participating in this effort.
Through the “United Nations Secretary-UNiTE General’s to End Violence Against Women Campaign (UNiTE),” the UN supports this civil society-led initiative. The UNiTE campaign uses the color orange as a universal symbol for a future free from violence against women and girls throughout all of its international activities.
Where to get help if u are being abused
Counseling and support for women
- National Crisis Helpline (Lifeline) 0861 322 322
- Stop Gender-Based Violence Helpline 0800 150 150
- People Opposed to Women Abuse 011 642 4345
- Family and Marriage Society of South Africa 012 460 0733
- National Network on Violence Against Women 012 321 4959
Counseling and support for children
- Childline 0800 055 555
Social Security
- Child support grants 0800 601 011
Healthcare
- Marie Stopes clinics 0800 11 77 85
- Depression and Anxiety Group 011 783 1474
- AIDS Helpline 0800 012 322
- AID for AIDS 0860 100 646
Legal assistance
- Legal Aid Board 011 845 4311
- Lawyers for Human Rights 011 339 1960
Campaigns for men who support no violence
- Men as Partners Project 011 833 0504
Information
- Sexual Harassment Education Project 011 403 0541
- Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation 011 403 5650
- South African Police Service 10111
- Suicide Crisis Line 0800 567 567
This year’s global campaign theme is “UNITE! Activism to stop violence against women and girls,” which calls for coordinated efforts to raise awareness, energize advocacy activities, and exchange ideas and innovations. Anyone who owns a white ribbon is asked to wear it to support the campaign. The ribbon serves as its symbol. The council will use social media to highlight major themes over the 16 Days and direct those who are in need to support and guidance.
Councillor Lynne Quinn, Inverclyde Council’s women’s champion, said: “This is an important annual campaign that we all must do our bit to support. It has taken on greater significance because the Covid-19 pandemic has unfortunately increased the risk of violence against women and children. Similarly, the cost of living crisis will disproportionately impact women experiencing violence. We need to embed tackling violence against women and girls in our recovery and renewal planning and this campaign will help to raise awareness of that and let anyone out there who is suffering know that they are not alone and help is available.”
Woman and children 2022 abuse stats
The reporting period from April to June demonstrates how cruel and unsafe South Africa was for women and children. Unacceptably high and disturbing levels of violent crimes against women and children were reported. In South Africa, 855 women and 243 children were killed between April and June 2022. More than 11,000 GBH assault cases involving female victims were reported to the police. 1 670 of these cases included kids.
The most recent statistics made public by the South African Police Service reflect not just startling numbers but also tragic incidents involving individuals, families, and communities that have broad societal repercussions. Even though we may not personally know every child or every woman, we should never accept such abuse as the standard in our society. At least three more children’s lives would have been cruelly ended while we go about our daily lives, and 18 more would still be recovering from the physical and mental effects of experiencing severe bodily trauma.
UNICEF has always been working to save the lives of children and women in a race against time. Tragically, being at home, where women and children should feel the safest, is also the most perilous situation. For this reason, UNICEF South Africa is collaborating with the government and other partners to offer a comprehensive and all-encompassing response to stop and lessen levels of violence against children. This begins in infancy, encouraging a supportive and caring home environment, and continues through adolescence, offering safe spaces and opportunities for skill development and employment.
Children and women are South Africa’s most valuable resources, and this continual assault on them impacts each and every one of us. In addition to taking lives, this violence breeds mistrust and has an adverse effect on South Africa’s economy as well as its future development and well-being. Children cannot live in terror, UNICEF South Africa reiterates, and they have a right to constant protection, nurturing, and care.
UNICEF advocates for the rights and welfare of every child. To put that commitment into practice, They collaborate with various partners and work in more than 190 nations and territories, making particular efforts to reach the world’s most marginalized and at-risk children. In order to unify the entire world behind the campaign, activists, advocates, and organizations fighting gender-based violence (GBV) focus their efforts for 16 days in November and December. So how can you get involved these 16 Days, to stand up for women’s and girls’ health and rights around the world? Here are 10 ways you can get started.
Tips on How to Combat Gender-Based Violence
Volunteer
Every action, no matter how small, counts, and volunteering is a terrific opportunity to invest your time and energy in the community issues that are important to you. Start by investigating local GBV-fighting groups, service providers, and grassroots activists to identify the needs in your neighborhood and learn about volunteering opportunities. Volunteering offers numerous advantages for both you and your community, and it can help you connect with others in the region who share your passion for fighting GBV.
Be an Advocate on Social Media
Social media has the benefit of being readily available to the majority of us, making it a potent instrument for promoting awareness of and advocacy against gender-based violence.Your social media channels may play a crucial role in promoting the activists and groups fighting to end GBV and advance women’s health and rights around the world during these 16 Days.
A few ways to get started include
consuming and disseminating content produced by local and international GBV activists and advocates. These activists fight against child marriage, one type of GBV, as well as FGM, another type, while all of these women activists aim to promote and assist women.
Turn your social media accounts orange, the color of the UN campaign against GBV. There are several methods to display your support on social media over these 16 Days, such as sharing pictures of yourself wearing orange or applying an orange tint to your profile. Learn about GBV and the methods that we can all help to avoid it, then share what you discover on social media to encourage others to do the same.
Donate to an Organization Supporting Survivors of GBV
Donations don’t have to be financial they can also be in the form of goods like clothing, food, sanitizer, books, and many other things. Your contributions can support and empower victims of gender-based abuse. If you want to help out locally, do some research (online, on social media, in person) to find out what the GBV groups in your area need, then donate what you can. If you want to go further, you could even organize your friends, family, and neighborhood to help you raise money.
Educate Yourself on Gender-Based Violence
It is crucial to learn more about GBV and comprehend why it persists and why it is still such a major problem on a global scale. Articles, books, podcasts, movies, you name it, there are so many excellent materials out there. If you want to narrow your search first, you can start with us. Go here to read our explanation on gender-based violence and put what you’ve learned to the test with our quiz. Go here to read our explainer on GBV online, which is becoming more and more significant as our worlds and networks shift online. Here are some outstanding books about gender equality that activists highly recommend reading. We’ve also compiled a list of interesting podcasts.
Show Up in Person
The 16 Days campaign is wonderful at focusing all the effort that activists, advocates, and organizations around the world put into fighting GBV over the course of a year, thus a lot of rallies, marches, and demonstrations are being planned globally. Find a demonstration happening near you, attend it, and take part in the pressure on global leaders to better safeguard the rights and health of women.
ALSO READ : How to prevent Gender Based Violence in South Africa
