Today marks the final day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25th November – 10th December), a global movement to raise awareness about gender-based violence. Since its inception in 1991, this annual campaign has united people worldwide to challenge harmful attitudes and advocate for better laws and services to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The campaign’s conclusion today, on International Human Rights Day, highlights the fundamental truth that women’s rights are human rights. Over the past 16 days, voices across the globe have called for action to address the harrowing reality:
- Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by a partner or family member.
- 1 in 3 women globally will experience violence in her lifetime, with adolescent girls particularly at risk.
- 60% of murdered women worldwide are killed by intimate partners or family members.
- In the UK alone, nearly 100 women have been killed by men in the past year.
Rising Threats Online
The digital landscape has become a growing battleground for gender-based violence. Online abuse, ranging from harassment and stalking to hateful misogynistic content affects 85% of women globally. In response, the UK Government announced the Safe Online: Preventing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) project on 25th November 2024, pledging over £27 million to support survivors, improve data collection, and reduce exposure to harmful online content.
What Can You Do to Help?
The fight against gender-based violence must continue every day. Here are some ways you can make a difference:
Support Campaigns: Organisations like FearFree, Torbay Domestic Abuse Services (TDAS), and Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services (PDAS) run numerous events to raise funds and awareness. Even sharing their hashtags—#ColdCourageChallenge, #EndAbuseTogether, #Enough, can help to spread important messages and amplifies their reach.
Raise Awareness: Research gender-based violence, talk about it, and encourage others to act. Visibility sparks action, and the more people join the conversation, the more pressure is placed on governments and organisations to drive change.
How Can Tozers Help?
At Tozers, our family law team is here to assist victims of domestic abuse. Whether you need help securing protective injunctions or navigating Children Act proceedings, we are committed to supporting you through challenging times.
Though this campaign may conclude today, the commitment to ending violence against women and girls remains. Together, we can create a world where everyone lives without fear and violence.
