The “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” is an international campaign that runs on a yearly basis from the 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until the 10th of December, Human Rights Day. It is an event run by individuals and organizations worldwide to advocate for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
In support of this initiative, INTERSOS missions organised specific activities to raise awareness on women rights, women empowerment, gender balance and gender-based violence.
During the 16 days of implementation of the campaign, INTERSOS Lybia mission organised extra activities within the framework of the regular awareness raising sessions provided at the Tripoli Baity Centre, in particular for girls and boys aged 13-18 and women above 18 years old. Awareness raising activities were conducted by writing messages against gender-based violence (GBV), (such as “Silence allows violence”, “Never her fault”, “We are stronger together”) on orange balloons and filling them up upon discussion on the topic. Lectures on GBV and the existing laws, focusing on domestic violence and specialized service providers for such cases were also provided, followed by survivors sharing their success stories. An additional session was related to women empowerment and gender balance as essential social factors that are considered to be fundamental for a happy society as, for instance, availability of food, clothes, shelter, health facilities and education for all.
INTERSOS Iraq organised activities to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV in all protection project locations. Awareness sessions on gender equality, GBV (early marriage and domestic violence), and human rights were conducted with beneficiaries and staff. Awareness sessions were tailored to different population and age groups, including sessions for men and boys in order to combat conservative beliefs on GBV. In some locations, awareness sessions were paired with the distribution of Dignity Kits to women and girls. INTERSOS also organized artwork competitions where participants submitted paintings and drawings on GBV and how it affects their community. All activities were undertaken with COVID-19 mitigation measures in place.
INTERSOS Nigeria launched the international campaign of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence on 25 December 2020 in all its areas of operation. Various activities were organized in consultation with the persons of concern through participatory assessments, in order to ensure the feasibility and culturally appropriateness of the activities. Special emphasis was placed on meaningful participation of Persons with Disabilities and engagement of traditional leaders along with men and boys to promote their role as agents of change. Planned activities included sensitization campaigns, expressive arts activities (interactive theatre performances, singing, etc.), sports activities and exhibition of handicrafts made by clients at Women and Girls Friendly Spaces (WGFS) with the aim to raise awareness on GBV, its root causes and the available services for survivors and at-risk groups.
Burkina Faso is a country experiencing a crisis that particularly affects women, who together with children make up 84% of the displaced people. Women and girls are more exposed than ever to various forms of gender-based violence, including harmful practices. In this situation of extreme insecurity, INTERSOS team completed 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign in the four regions of action: the Eastern Region, the North, Boucle de Mouhoun and Plateau Centrale. The programme included numerous activities aimed at women, but also at community leaders and the whole community, in order to raise awareness among as many people as possible about this sensitive issue. During these days INTERSOS organised broadcasts on local radio stations to talk about the phenomenon of early marriage. In fact, in Burkina Faso, in spite of legislative changes that establish the legal age of marriage at 18, 10% of women get married before the age of 15 and 52% before the age of 18. In addition, football matches were organised between the INTERSOS team and displaced persons to provide a moment of relief and at the same time to talk about gender-based violence. In addition, GBV films were screened in schools in order to talk about GBV with adolescents and raise their awareness. INTERSOS distributed dignity kits to the most vulnerable and needy women, a kit consisting of materials to ensure their personal hygiene. Finally, community sessions were also held on Handicap and GBV, to focus on issues that are often overlooked. These sessions are also accompanied by psycho-social animations, characterised by dancing, so that women can have fun and bond at the community level.
In Yemen, INTERSOS and UNHCR organized a campaign in support of the annual global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (GBV). Under the global theme “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”, the Campaign upholded the worldwide call to end violence against women, urging for safety and dignity to pursue a better reality for women and girls. The campaign complemented INTERSOS protection programme for refugees and conflict affected Yemenis in South Yemen. The lives and livelihoods of women and girls have been acutely impacted by COVID-19, exacerbating their socio-economic vulnerability as refugee or Internally displaced people. INTERSOS provides livelihood and soft skills trainings for the socio-economic integration of women and girls at risk and GBV survivors to enhance their resilience and prevent long-term aid dependency. Ten women who took part to the trainings (5 refugees, 5 IDPs) were invited to participate in one of the Campaign’s activities, showing the skills they gained and selling their products for an income in a three-day handicraft bazaar held in a popular mall in Dar Sa’ad in Aden.