WUNRN
CELEBRATING 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST
In 2008, just as in previous years, women from all parts of the globe have defended human rights, peace and social justice on a daily basis. As Charlotte Bunch, Executive Director of CWGL noted, “Because of the content and focus of their advocacy, and sometimes simply because they are women who choose to engage in activism, women continue to be punished and abused by government officials, religious authorities, police, and often by family and community members.”
It is not only activists who face a range of violations; women in both the global North and South face un-abating levels of violence, and abuses such as arbitrary imprisonment, torture, forced disappearances, death threats, violations of privacy, and verbal and physical harassment. The entire world should be chagrined that on a global level, one in three women will experience some form of violence in her lifetime. The magnitude of this abuse is inexcusable.
Eighteen
years ago, the Center for Women’s Global Leadership hosted its first Women’s
Global Leadership Institute on Human Rights and Violence Against Women at
Since
its inception, CWGL has coordinated this international and decentralized annual
campaign, providing resources and background materials for use and adaptation
by women and organizations all over the world. As Bunch notes, “We are proud
that the 16 Days Campaign has taken root in 156 countries, and well over
2000 civil society groups have highlighted women’s creative and strategic
anti-violence advocacy. Even governments and UN agencies have adopted this
civil society campaign to promote their own anti-violence programming.”
In 2008, hundreds of organizations used 16 Days to plan events and call for recognition of women’s right to live free of violence. Organizing themes this year included: ending violence against women, directing resources to gender-based violence advocacy, focusing on violence and experiences of women human rights defenders and strengthening the UN system to better address the human rights of women.
Examples of 2008 16 Days advocacy:
In marking December 10th, International Human Rights Day, CWGL also notes the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The international Every Human Has Rights – Reclaiming the UDHR international campaign sponsored by “The Elders,” a group of influential human rights activists including Nelson Mandela, Mary Robinson, Kofi Annan and Ela Bhatt among others, brought together a range of prominent human rights organizations to highlight a different theme each month throughout the year. CWGL was proud to be the lead organization of the UDHR60 campaign on women’s issues, with a focus on March, using International Women’s Day, March 8th, as an anchor [http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/globalcenter/policy/udhr60/index.html].
As these notable dates pass in 2008, CWGL takes the opportunity to pay tribute to the groups and individuals who challenged human rights abuses throughout the year, and of course, the many women who were victims and survivors of violence. In coming months, with allies and colleagues, we look forward to continuing to commemorate the power and leadership of women in the struggle to defend the human rights of all people.
For more information about the 16
Days Campaign and to see the online calendar of events, visit CWGL’s website [http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/home.html].
--
The CWGL Staff
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign
Center for Women's Global Leadership
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
160 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8555
Tel: 1-732-932-8782
Fax: 1-732-932-1180
Email: 16days@cwgl.rutgers.edu
Website: http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu
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