16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25 — which marks the first of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and culminates with Human Rights Day on December 10 — advocates for greater awareness and action to put an end to deeply rooted gender-based violence and discrimination.

This year’s 16 Days theme “Orange the world: #HearMeToo” recognizes women, girls, and LGBTQI2 people as they speak out about the violence they experience, particularly in marginalized and underserved communities that include refugees, minorities, indigenous peoples, and those affected by conflict and natural disasters.

The official campaign colour is orange, which symbolizes a brighter future. It will be featured prominently in events and activities globally.

IDRC-supported research contributes to Canada’s strong voice in the fight against gender-based violence. The Centre’s Governance and Justice program supports innovative research to identify the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence and to find solutions in preventing and overcoming it in developing countries. Our support for research in many other areas — such as digital innovation, climate change, maternal and child health, and women’s economic empowerment — also addresses many forms of gender-based violence.

Learn more about how IDRC-supported projects are generating critical evidence to put an end to gender-based violence:  

Feminist Advocacy, Family Law and Violence Against Women: International Perspectives

Climate change, mobility, and women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan

INTERNET5: Shaping an Internet for women’s empowerment

Breaking the bonds of childhood marriage

Mapping sexual harassment in Egypt

Giving a voice to the urban poor: the scavengers of Cochabamba

• Feminist advocacy can tackle violence against women
• Funding for sexual and reproductive health and health information systems
• Security for women and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in the conflict-affected regions in Colombia
• Making a Feminist Internet Research Network
• Policy should address more than jobs to economically empower women
• Scaling open data for development in Latin America
• kNOw Fear: Making rural public spaces safer for women and girls
• Networks for Change and Well-being: "From the Ground Up" Policy-making to Address Sexual Violence against Girls
• Gender and violence in cities
• Fostering an Internet for women’s empowerment