16 Days of Activism 2024
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign, and one of the largest organizing strategies in the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence around the world. It begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day.
Each year, CFUW publishes a 16 Days of Activism Information Package with details about the campaign and topics related to gender-based violence. Our 2024 edition provides up-to-date information about three focus areas: Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls, Violence Against Women in Politics, and Gun Violence. It also shares 16 ways that CFUW Clubs, members, and individuals can take action to support survivors and end gender-based violence.
16 Ways to Take Action:
From CFUW's 16 Days of Activism Information Package.
1. Write to your city’s Mayor urging them to light City Hall/public buildings in purple or orange throughout the 16 Days to raise awareness about gender-based violence. Download a template letter for CFUW Clubs here.
2. Donate to or volunteer at a women’s shelter, sexual assault or crisis centre, or an Indigenous women’s support centre in your community.
3. Read the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice here and consider how you can act on them.
4. Wear purple on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to raise awareness.
5. Call out gendered violence when you see it: counter victim-blaming and the idea that it is women and girls’ responsibility to avoid “dangerous” situations. Read this resource on “How to be an Active Bystander in 6 Steps.”
6. Wear a white ribbon and plan or attend a vigil on December 6, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
7. Write a letter to your representatives urging them to stand against violence against women, harassment, and toxicity in politics. Download a template letter here.
8. Write an op-ed or letter to the editor in your local media outlet to raise awareness about gender-based violence and ways to combat it.
9. Support survivors of gender-based violence. Tell them “I believe you” and “this is not your fault.” Learn more about identifying the signs of relationship abuse and how you can help here. Learn about the hand “Signal for Help" that survivors can use to subtly indicate they are in need of help.
10. Reach out to Indigenous community partners about hanging red dresses in your area to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, as a part of the REDress Project.
11. Hang posters raising awareness about gender-based violence and support services in your community. You can download posters here.
12. Meet with your MP to express your concerns about gun violence in Canada and affirm your support for strict gun control measures.
13. Encourage women to get involved with politics and support them as candidates. Call out and report misogynistic, racist, and homophobic comments made towards women in politics, and commit to civility in your interactions with politicians and candidates.
14. Host kitchen table talks with your friends or CFUW Club members to discuss gender-based violence issues, how they affect your local community, and what you can do to support survivors and end the violence.
15. Organize webinars, panel discussions, public forums, speakers, or film screenings on topics related to gender-based violence.
16. Share the 16 Days of Activism package and CFUW’s and other organizations’ social media posts, or create and post your own.