11.25.2014
Media

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

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November 25 is the International Day Against Violence Against Women, and the first day of 2014’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, that runs through December 10 (International Human Rights Day)During the 16 Days of Action, Advocates for Youth and our allies highlight violence against women as a human rights issue and call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women. This year, the theme of the 16 Days of Activism is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Gender-Based Violence!” In observance of the 16 Days, advocates from around the world are using blog posts, radio, and other media, and hosting events to lift up the stories of women and girls, emphasize the intersectional nature of gender-based violence and push for an end to violence against women.

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Advocates believes that societies—meaning governments, communities, teachers, health providers, parents, the media, and young people themselves, among others—have the responsibility to ensure an environment where young people can access comprehensive reproductive and sexual health information and confidential services to make healthy choices, free of stigma and discrimination. Yet, the over 1 billion young people worldwide, and particularly young women worldwide, face significant challenges that obstruct them from meeting their full potential. We are committed to remedying these challenges and to ensuring that young women and girl’s rights are not ignored nor sacrificed for political expediency. An integral part of that fight is to ensuring that young women and girls are free from the threat of violence.

So, joining our allies, Advocates for Youth will be featuring one blog each day on Amplify from youth activists who sit on our International Youth Leadership Council and Girl Engagement Advisory Boards. The International Youth Leadership Council is composed of young people based in Washington, D.C. who are interested in working to improve the health and well-being of their peers, by participating in educating policy makers, the media, and the American public about the importance of increasing U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and for international family planning. The IYLC has recently been joined by our new Girl Engagement Advisory Board, a team of youth activists aged 15-19 from around the world who engage in advocacy and inform, guide and advise Advocates’ work to advance adolescent girls’ rights within the post-2015 development process.  Read the blogs here!