What is the 16 Days of Activism

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman's physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. Human rights cannot be universal without human rights for women.

The 16 Days of Activism begins on 25th November on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on December 10th International Human Rights Day. These two dates highlight that violence against women is a human rights abuse. We invite community members and organisations to coordinate or participate in an event to unite in the struggle to end violence against women.

During the 16 days, activists around the world use the campaign to:

• further raise awareness about the prevalence and devastating impact of gender violence,
  
• celebrate victories gained by the Women's Rights Movement,
• challenge policy and practice that allow women to be targeted for acts of violence, and
• demand that violence against women be recognised as an abuse of human rights.

Zonta Clubs around the world have engaged in this campaign through the Zonta Says No to Violence against Women and Girls since 2012.  In many places, clubs organise the lighting up of significant landmarks and buildings in the colour orange to symbolise activism. Clubs also use orange cut out female figures place din strategic locations to raise awareness and help engage the community. Clubs also organise webinars, podcasts and engage in social media campaigns to get the message to as broad an audience as possible.

Zonta Club of Caboolture advocates during the 16 Days of Activism in a variety of ways:

• Zonta Says No walk through Brisbane on 22 November 2023.
• Zonta Says No banner displayed at Centenary Park, Caboolture.
• Orange figures displayed in local businesses and organisations across Caboolture, Morayfield and Burpengary.
• The lighting of Caboolture Town Square in orange lights.
• Zonta Club of Caboolture members share information about gender violence in the Morayfield Shopping Centre.

Learn more about how Zonta Club of Caboolture advocates for women and girls.