16 days of activism to end gender based violence have been launched by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) funded AAWAZ programme. During this campaign, collective voices will be raised from union council level to district level for strengthening local, national, regional and international networks to empower women in Pakistan. The launch event also showed solidarity with the worldwide movement to end violence against women by highlighting innovative strategies.
The 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign that started in 1991 originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute. The dates between November 25 (International Day on Violence against Women [VAW])and December 10 (International Human Rights Day) were decided to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights of women. This year this campaign continues the theme of “Leave No One Behind; End Violence against Women and girls”.
On 24th November, women from 45 districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gathered in Islamabad to share their inspirational stories of change. These women were made-up of social workers working to reduce gender-based violence, or those who have faced gender-based violence.
Momentum generated during these 16 days will be gathered and a national joint convention of women assembly will be organised at the end of this campaign. The convention will present the pledges and commitments gathered during the campaign and present its vision to engage with other like-minded groups and seek institutional commitment to end violence against women.
Commenting on the launch event, Head of DFID Pakistan, Joanna Reid said that: “Violence against women and girls must stop. How can it ever be justified? Not only is stopping it an essential human right – it will reduce poverty. Girls who experience violence are less likely to complete their education, they are at greater risk of dying in childbirth and their ability to earn a living is put at risk. I’m so glad that we’ve launched these 16 days of activism to talk about all these issues. It’s the first step towards change.”
Mr. Naeem Mirza of Aurat Foundations said that: “International day of ending violence against women is announced by the UN to commemorate Marable or butterfly Sisters’ struggle for women’s rights against a dictator and 16 days of activism campaign is also started from this day. There is dire need to timely pursue and ensure implementation of pro women laws by state departments.”
