MJ de Castro
Photo courtesy of Life Matters on Pexels
A shadow pandemic lurks in homes, workplaces, and communities worldwide: gender-based violence. It affects nearly one billion women and girls globally. While looking at this figure as simply a statistic may be tempting, it means more than that. It equals shattered lives, broken families, and unfulfilled potential.
The 16 Days of Activism signals hope, mobilizing individuals and organizations to confront this crisis head-on and work toward a world where all people can live free from the threat of violence.
The campaign began in 1991 as a grassroots initiative by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers University. Since then, the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence has grown into a global movement, uniting individuals and organizations from nearly 190 countries in the fight against violence toward women and girls.
The 16 Days of Activism symbolically links gender-based violence with human rights violations. Over the years, it has grown to address workplace harassment, online abuse, and femicide.
As the world approaches the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025, the 16 Days of Activism is a platform to reinvigorate commitments, demand accountability, and spur action from decision-makers. This milestone also presents an opportunity to reflect on progress made and challenges remaining in achieving the blueprint for gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights outlined in the Beijing Declaration.
Our Secure Future, along with numerous organizations and individuals, acknowledges that ending violence against women and girls is essential for achieving gender equality and sustainable development.
The Scale of the Problem
The statistics surrounding gender-based violence paint a grim picture of a global crisis. According to the United Nations (UN) Women, every 10 minutes, a woman or girl is intentionally killed by partners or family members. The scope of the problem is staggering, with nearly one in three women experiencing violence in their lifetime. This pervasive issue knows no boundaries, affecting women across all countries and cultures, regardless of socioeconomic status or background.
Perhaps most disturbing is the vulnerability of young women, with one in four adolescent girls facing abuse from their partners, proving the need for early intervention and education to break the cycle of violence.
Notably, the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has worsened this crisis, with many countries reporting significant increases in domestic violence cases during lockdowns. People have dubbed this surge the “shadow pandemic,” highlighting the need for all-encompassing strategies to address gender-based violence in all its forms.
Moreover, the economic impact of violence against women is staggering, with some countries losing up to 3.7% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to this issue. This economic toll further emphasizes the far-reaching consequences of gender-based violence and the importance of investing in prevention and response measures.
Technology and Gender-Based Violence
The internet and social media platforms, while offering opportunities for connection and empowerment, have also become spaces where women and girls face targeted threats and harassment. This is why 16 Days of Activism also acknowledges that gender-based violence has taken on new forms today, with online harassment and cyberstalking becoming increasingly common.
This digital dimension of violence often intersects with offline abuse, creating a complex web of harassment that can severely limit women’s freedom of movement and expression. Our Secure Future recognizes the need for inventive solutions to address these emerging forms of violence by actively working to incorporate a Women, Peace and Security (WPS) lens in the digital space to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). This aims to help policymakers identify gender blind spots in technology and address the disproportionate impact of online harassment on women.
To put things in perspective, in the United States alone, 75% of cyberstalking victims are women, highlighting the urgent need for gender-sensitive policies in the digital space. By applying a WPS lens to the problem, Our Secure Future creates safer online environments and promotes digital equality.
Addressing Workplace Violence
The 16 Days of Activism campaign also shines a spotlight on workplace violence. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), more than one in five people globally have experienced violence and harassment at work during their lifetime. The ILO’s Convention No. 190 sets global standards to eliminate such violence and harassment, marking a step forward in protecting women’s rights in professional settings.
Implementing gender-responsive workplace practices is essential in creating safe and inclusive work environments. This includes developing comprehensive policies that address all forms of workplace violence and harassment.
Recent statistics from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) show an increase in sexual harassment claims. In this regard, zero-tolerance policies play a massive role in changing workplace culture. By clearly communicating that violence and harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances, employers can create safer spaces for all employees, particularly women.
Additionally, the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll found that nearly 61% of those who experienced workplace violence faced it multiple times, displaying the importance of early intervention and not dismissing incidents as isolated cases. The 16 Days of Activism calls for establishing robust anti-violence policies that can build trust between employees and management. With this, grievances are solved promptly and effectively.
Health Risks in Humanitarian Contexts
In humanitarian emergencies, such as armed conflicts or natural disasters, the risks of gender-based violence (GBV) increase significantly. According to UN Women, more than 70% of women have experienced GBV in some crisis settings, compared to 35% worldwide. Women and girls in these situations often face heightened vulnerability due to displacement, limited mobility, and breakdown of social structures.
Survivors of gender-based violence in crises face numerous challenges in solving essential health care and support services. The lack of infrastructure, security concerns, and social stigma can all hinder receiving necessary care. A study from South Sudan revealed that up to 65% of women reported experiencing intimate partner and sexual violence during humanitarian crises, a rate double the global average.
These require specialized strategies integrating gender-based violence prevention and response into humanitarian aid efforts. This includes training humanitarian workers, establishing safe spaces for women and girls, and promoting access to comprehensive health services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of health services providing critical interventions for sexual assault survivors, such as emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medication to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
The Role of International Organizations
International organizations are crucial in combating gender-based violence. The World Bank Group, for instance, has made ending all forms of gender-based violence a key pillar of its Gender Strategy 2024 to 2030. This strategy aims to accelerate gender equality to end poverty and create a more livable planet.
Meanwhile, WHO actively works to bolster health systems and local health partner capacity to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, particularly in humanitarian emergencies. Our Secure Future aligns with these global efforts, recognizing that ending gender-based violence requires a multifaceted approach involving governments, civil society, and international organizations working together.
A Call to Action
The 16 Days of Activism campaign galvanizes individuals, organizations, and governments to take concrete steps toward ending gender-based violence. It provides a time for raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and mobilizing resources to support survivors and prevent future violence.
Our Secure Future urges everyone to contribute to creating a world free from gender-based violence. This can involve supporting local women’s organizations, advocating for ratifying and implementing international conventions like the Istanbul Convention, and challenging harmful gender norms and stereotypes in our communities.
As the world commemorates the 16 Days of Activism, everyone must remember that ending gender-based violence requires year-round dedication. Together, people can shape a future where all women and girls live free from the threat of violence, realizing their full potential.