16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Children 

25 November - 10 December

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Quotes of the Campaign*:

"If you rape a woman or a child, the law will hit you hard," Barberton police station, Inspector Faizel Essack.

"As government, we firmly believe that respect and concern for human rights including the rights of the child and equality between men and women must be at the core of a collective response to the disease," Mr Ndaweni Mahlangu Premier of Mpumalanga

"Let these 16 days lay the foundation for ongoing action until the abuse of women and children is eradicated in our homes, places of work and communities," President Thabo Mbeki

"It is only when families and relatives start exposing these practices, some of which go largely unreported, that we can minimise the violence and abuse," Deputy President Jacob Zuma

*From the News section of this site

 

History: Where does the 16 Day Campaign Come From

For the past ten years the 16 Days of Activism has marked activities around the world to end gender violence. The 16 Day campaign has been used to create a global movement to raise awareness, to address policy and legal issues, to campaign for the protection of survivors of violence and to call for the elimination of all forms of gender violence.

The 25th of November, the day that marks the start of the campaign, was declared International Day Against Violence Against Women at the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia in 1981.

This day was chosen to commemorate the death of the Mirabal sisters in 1960 by the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. The day was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1999 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The South African Government is launching its own campaign, along with NGO's around the country. Take part in the campaign by:

  • adding your event to our calendar of events for the 16 days
  • attending an event and supporting local organisations - check the calendar for an event close to you
  • adding the campaign logo to your website
  • making a donation to the campaign (which will benefit South African organisations) - email the Department of Justice
  • adding your voice to this website - make your opinion heard!
  • wearing a white ribbon everyday for the 16 Days
Key Days:
Day Details
November 25

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Click here for more information on the history of this day. The South Africa Campaign is launched on this day.
December 1 World AIDS Day. This day was first observed in 1988. For more information about the history: UNAIDS, the Treatment Action Campaign. Consult the events calendar for this days activities.
December 3 International Day of Disabled Persons. This Day was initially proclaimed to commemorate the anniversary of the General Assembly's adoption of the World Program of Action concerning Persons with Disabilities to promote understanding about disability issues and to increase awareness of gains from the integration of disabled persons in every aspect of political, social economic and cultural life. Observance of the Day should include monitoring of the implementation of recommendations agreed upon by the community of persons with disabilities and others concerned.. >>UN website. There will be a number of events happening around the country to celebrate.
December 6 Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. On this day in 1989, 14 women were murdered at the University of Montreal's School of Engineering for being "feminists". Marc Lepine, the murderer, blamed women students for his non-admission to the engineering school. The Canadian government declared December the 6th the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Click here for more information.
December 10

International Human Rights Day. On this day people around the world celebrate the adoption in 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - which states the right of all people to "life, liberty and the security of person.. without distinction of any kind". For more on the Declaration, click here. This is the last day of the campaign, there will be a live broadcast of Morning Live on SAFM from Parliament. The Wall of Solidarity will be unveiled, which will have the names of all the partners of the campaign.