16 Days of Activism

What is 16 Days of Activism?

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that brings together individuals and organizations to raise awareness, demand action, and end violence against women and girls. Starting on November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and running through December 10th, Human Rights Day, this campaign urges everyone to take action in their community, workplace, and home to eradicate GBV in all its forms.

#InvestisChallenge

Our Commitment

At Access to Medicines Platform, we are committed to raising awareness and empowering individuals to take a stand against violence. We need your voice, your commitment, and your action to build a violence-free world for everyone.

The Impact of GBV

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is not only a violation of human rights but also a barrier to achieving gender equality, peace, and sustainable development. The global statistics are disturbing, and in Kenya, the situation is equally alarming. According to recent reports, 2024 has seen a surge in femicide cases, with women being murdered by intimate partners or family members at an increasing rate. Law enforcement has recorded 97 femicide cases in just the past three months in the country. These tragic deaths are a stark reminder that GBV continues to rob women of their lives, their futures, and their rights.

In Kenya, the increase in femicide reflects deep-rooted societal issues such as toxic masculinity, power imbalances in relationships, and a culture of silence that protects perpetrators rather than victims. In many cases, survivors of domestic violence are often pushed into situations where their cries for help are ignored until it’s too late.

Here’s how GBV manifests:

Physical violence: Includes intimate partner violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault, all of which contribute to the rising number of femicide cases.
Economic violence: Control over financial resources or denial of access to money, education, or work, which can lead to dependency and make women more vulnerable to abuse.
Cultural practices: Harmful traditions, including child marriage and female genital mutilation, perpetuate gender inequality and contribute to the violence faced by women and girls.
Sexual violence: Unwanted sexual acts or coercion, including harassment, assault, and even murder in extreme cases.

These issues are not confined to any one area, and the tragic rise in femicide demands that we all take responsibility. It’s not enough to stand by silently while our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends continue to live in fear of violence. We must act—together, as a society—to break the cycle of violence and create an environment where women can live freely, safely, and with dignity

Theme

This year, the theme for the 16 days of Activism is: “Invest to prevent violence against women and girls.”

Investing in preventing violence against women and girls’ matters because…

1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime
More than four out of five women and girls (86%) live in countries with no solid legal protection, or where statistics simply don't exist
One in four countries (25%) have no system for monitoring budget allocations in favor of gender equality
Women's rights organizations at the forefront of the eliminating GBV receive only 5% of official development aid allocated to combating violence against women
The number of women and girls living in conflict situations has increased by 50%, making millions more vulnerable to gender-based violence
Investing in support services can reduce the impact of violence on survivors by up to 40%
Communities that invest in gender equality see a 7% increase in GDP
80% of human trafficking victims are women and girls
Violence against women and girls’ increases during emergencies and conflicts
Education and economic empowerment reduce the risk of violence by 50%

Investing in preventing violence against women and girls not only ensures their safety but also creates ripple effects that positively impact the entire community. Safer communities, empowered individuals, and strides towards gender equality contribute to a healthier, more prosperous, and fairer society for everyone. This investment is a crucial step towards achieving lasting societal progress and well-being.

Key Messages:

Invest for change: in research, empowerment, policies, community education, healthcare and support services
Empower women and girls by investing in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities
Support survivor-centered programs and initiatives
Challenge and transform societal norms that perpetuate violence
Advocate for policy changes and societal shifts to end violence against women and girls

Add Your Voice To The Movement

During the 16 Days of Activism, we encourage individuals to make a personal pledge to support survivors of GBV, challenge harmful behaviors, and work towards a more equitable society. By signing this commitment, you are making a stand to end GBV and promote the rights of women and girls.

How To Pledge

Fill out the form from the link below and share your commitment to end GBV. Your voice matters!

Take The Pledge

Access to Medicines Platform #investischallenge is a 16 Days of Activism Social Media Campaign

Choosing “Invest is” as a challenge emphasizes the transformative power of allocating resources, effort, and commitment towards preventing and ending violence against women and girls. This challenge aims to redefine the concept of investment, urging individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to recognize the significance of proactive action and dedication in creating lasting change.

By embracing the #InvestChallenge, participants commit to actively contribute to a world where safety, respect, and equality are not just aspirations but realities for everyone. Through collective investment, we aim to empower survivors, challenge societal norms, drive policy changes, and foster inclusive communities, ultimately paving the way towards a future free from gender-based violence.

Let’s flood social media with messages of invest means or is!

This year Access to Medicines Platform is encouraging everyone to get behind the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and share what invest is/means to them on their social media account, using the tag: #investischallenge

This is a simple and fun way for individuals and communities to get involved in the 16 Days of Activism campaign in their workplaces, schools, local cafes, places of worship, and other community groups and hangouts!

Call To Action:

Join the challenge

by actively participating in the #InvestisChallenge and take concrete steps towards investment in preventing violence against women and girls

Share your involvement

and contributions to the challenge on various platforms and tag us. Share our campaign on social media using: #InvestisChallenge #InvestToEndGBV #16DaysofActivism