|
The Theme for 2008: Human Rights for Women- Human Rights for All: UDHR 60 The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day against Violence against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. Click here to download - 16 Days Theme 2008 Read more >> >> The 16 Days Campaign has been used as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women by: - raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels - strengthening local work around violence against women - establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women - providing a forum in which organizers can develop and share new and effective strategies - demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organizing against violence against women - creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women Since 1991, approximately 1,700 organizations in 130 countries have participated in the 16 Days Campaign! The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a historic moment, recognizing the past six decades of work to secure the conventions and treaties that make up the human rights framework. The principles of the declaration also gave legitimacy to activists around the world who were calling for the realization of universal human rights. For suggested actions: Click here to download - 2008 Suggested actions |
