16 Days of Activism

Day 16: The Center for Women's Global Leadership, United States

Founded in 1989, The Center for Women’s Global Leadership’s(CWGL) mission is to develop and facilitate leadership for women’s human rights and social justice worldwide. Through their work to end violence against women, CWGL aims to strengthen the capacity of the global women’s movement and its leaders by coordinating global campaigns for the elimination of gender-based violence, supporting regional and local campaigns, and contributing new and timely analyses about the intersections between violence against women and militarism.

Day 15: Rwanda Women Network, Rwanda

Rwanda Women Network(RWN) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to empower Rwandan women economically and socially. In its belief that the legal, health, and socio-economic issues facing Rwandan women are intertwined, RWN has adopted a multi-faceted approach to achieve its goal. The organization offers a variety of programs to reduce gender-based violence and maximize opportunities for Rwandan women—from establishing saving and credit cooperatives to encourage entrepreneurship to providing healthcare to those affected by HIV/AIDS and abuse.

Day 14: MenCare, International

Approximately four out of five men worldwide will be fathers at some point in their lives. Overwhelming global evidence suggests that when men are engaged and responsive fathers, it has a positive effect on women, children, and men themselves.

MenCare is a global fatherhood campaign whose mission is to promote men’s involvement as equitable, responsive, and non-violent fathers and caregivers in order to promote children’s, women’s and men’s well-being, and gender equality.

Day 13: YMCA Rose Campaign, Canada

Violence against women is a $4 billion problem in Canada. Each year, violence and abuse drive over 100,000 women and children out of their homes and into shelters.

YWCA Canada’s annual Rose Campaign seeks to address this issue and ultimately end violence against women and girls. Inspired by the Rose button created after 14 young women were murdered on December 6, 1989, it also commemorates December 6th as Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Day 12: Mary Ellsberg, Global Women’s Institute, United States

Mary Ellsberg is an anti-violence activist and the director of The George Washington University’s Global Women’s Institute, which aims to support and improve the situation of women and girls worldwide through research, teaching, and engaged service. Mary has more than 30 years of experience in international research and program work, and has played a key role in preventing violence against women and children across the globe. She has seen firsthand the crucial role that communications plays in changing behaviors and challenging social norms.

Day 11: Women’s Aid, United Kingdom

Women’s Aid is a domestic violence charity that helps up to 250,000 women and children each year through their advocacy efforts, prevention programs, and direct services to support women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Day 10: Raising Voices, Uganda

Raising Voices is a non-profit organization working toward the prevention of violence against women and children by catalyzing social change in communities. The organization works to prevent violence by addressing its root causes, such as traditional gender roles and the imbalance of power between women and men. According to Raising Voices Co-Founder and Co-Director Lori Michau, the organization, “envisions relationships, families, and communities where women and children’s voices are heard, their rights are respected, and they can live free of violence.”

Day 9: Breakthrough, United States/India

Breakthrough is a global human rights organization that seeks to inspire a new generation of human rights leaders. Breakthrough believes that we all have a role to play in making a difference and protecting human rights throughout the world. Violence against women is a global pandemic that touches every part of our lives.

Day 8: The Line Campaign, Australia

The Line Campaign connects with teenagers across Australia through interactive videos, posters, music, and more to communicate healthy relationship advice. The four-year multimedia campaign is run by the Primary Prevention Safety Task Force of the Australian Government, and addresses healthy relationship behaviors, gender stereotypes, online safety, and conflict resolution.

Day 7: Say NO – UNiTE, Worldwide

Violence occurs in many forms and settings, impacting up to seven in ten women and girls around the world. The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) works to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and promotes the empowerment and equity of women across the globe.

Day 6: Circle of 6, United States

The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that one in five college women will be the victim of rape or sexual assault. In response to this staggering statistic, a small team of innovative activists created Circle of 6, a free smartphone app that enables users to reach a group of six trusted friends for help with the touch of a button.

Day 5: SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Niksic, Montenegro

Since its founding by women activists in 1998, SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence Niksic (SOSNK) has been providing essential services to survivors of domestic violence and preparing them for a new future without violence through education and training.

Day 4: The Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Vietnam

The Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender – Family - Women and Adolescents (CSAGA) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the rights of women and children who are affected by violence and discrimination in Vietnam.

Day 3: Avon Foundation for Women, United States

One in three women globally will be a victim of domestic abuse and violence in her lifetime. In response to this worldwide problem, the Avon Foundation for Women launched their Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program in 2004 in an effort to prevent domestic and gender-based violence. The program funds direct services, education and prevention initiatives, and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing domestic and gender violence.

Day 2: Half the Sky, United States

Based on New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof’s best-selling book, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide uses the power of film to tell the stories of women struggling for equal rights around the world. Through a four-hour documentary television series, Half the Sky highlights women and girls in ten countries who are living under extremely difficult circumstances – and fighting to change them.

Day 1: Coaching Boys into Men, Futures Without Violence, United States

Futures’ most successful messages to engage men in preventing violence against women were those that invited men to take positive action in their communities, rather than indicting them.