16 Days of Activism 2023

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, takes place annually from 25th November to 10th December, is an international campaign that aims to raise awareness of, and prevent violence against women and girls.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

We know that it can be difficult to know how best to respond when someone confides in you, and tells you that they feel unsafe in their relationship and that they are experiencing domestic abuse. So this year’s campaign is focused on ensuring that everyone can be confident enough to BELIEVE, RESPOND and REFER.

Believe

Believe what the person is telling you – you may feel shocked. It’s okay to feel this way – but it’s important to show that you believe them.

Respond

Respond by listening without judgement. It can be extremely difficult to talk about experiences of abuse and how you listen is important.

Refer

Refer them to specialist support services. Head to our website or download the Bright Sky app to find local services and your nearest Safe Space in a bank or pharmacy.

Read our #16DaysofActivism blogs here.

Read our blogs

If you are holding any events during 16 Days of Activism Week, please do share the images with us on social media. Let’s raise as much awareness as possible. Tag us in using the #16DaysofActivism and @uksaysnomore and @Hestia1970.

Send us an email at uksaysnomore@hestia.org if you want any further support or have any questions.

In partnership with 16 Days 16 Films

Your voice can help change everything.

16 Days 16 Films are inviting us to join the campaign to end violence against women and raise awareness by spreading the word about film nominations and their stories. By doing this, we elevate and platform female filmmakers.

The call to action is simple: watch some brilliant short films, share them with your friends, network and community to highlight the campaign to #EndVAW and join the movement.

What is 16 Days 16 Films?

An annual short film initiative that empowers female filmmakers and platforms films which explore, emote or educate about the many forms violence against women takes.

Inspired by the annual global campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. 16 Films are selected from hundreds of submissions, and for every one of the 16 Days of the campaign (25 November – 10 December), one film is screened on our online platform.

Presented in partnership with UK Says No More, UN Women, Geena Davis Institute, Voice of Change and BFI Inclusion.