16 days of activism against gender-based violence

16 days of activism against gender-based violence

16 days of activism against gender based violence, is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

This year’s theme by UN Women is UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls – calling on citizens to share their actions to create a world free from violence towards women, and on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention.

On 9th November, to galvanise civil society efforts and kickstart the campaign, CEQUIN brought together 15 Delhi based community organisations working with youth and women, to plan a public event on 25th November 2023 – on the ‘International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls’.

According to a recent study in the Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia 2023; despite our efforts to advance gender equity, India will not meet the target on SDG -5 of gender equality by as late as 2090, and for nearly 1/3rd of districts in the country, this goal will never be met in the foreseeable future.

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Despite many countries passing laws to combat violence against women, weak enforcement and discriminatory social norms remain significant problems. 736 million women, almost 1 in 3, have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their lives (UN Women).

In post-pandemic India, the status of girls and women remains a concern – with low rate of women’s workforce participation (24%), worrying health indicators (Anemia risen to 59%), increase in violence (15% rise since 2021) and the highest number of child brides ( India accounts for 40% of the world’s 60 million child brides).

Lora K. Prabhu, Co-founder and Managing Director CEQUIN, said that – “ The history of the Women’s Movement in India towards gender equity, is replete with path breaking legislations like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and many others. The passing of the landmark judgment on the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023, is both a cause for celebration and a moment to ask ourselves – Who have we left behind ? And, what will it take to make the women’s movement truly inclusive, as a platform to extend solidarity to all those across the gender spectrum ? ”

Sara Abdullah Pilot, Co-Founder and Chairperson CEQUIN added that – “ Over the years many collectives and organizations have built this movement of gender justice through common networks, collaborations and constant support. What binds us together, is our collective vision and efforts towards a gender just and equal world, where the most vulnerable communities have a seat at the table, a voice. We believe that equitable access and participation in decision making – from the home, to the streets, in the workplace, and in the parliament – is the need of the hour ! ”

Shilpa Bisht, Executive Director, Centre for Health and Social Justice, shared that stakeholders have a key role, that “The role of men is vital in promoting non-violence in the family & the positive well-being of women, girls, and other family members. To break the cycle of violence we need more empathetic men in our society “.

The public event on 25th November, is titled ‘ Hain Haq Hamara Hissedaari’, where more than 20 organizations will gather under the open skies of Delhi, to amplify the message of ‘Ending Violence against women, girls and all across the gender spectrum’.

Through our collectives, powerful slogans and messaging, street performances like nukkad nataks, songs and flashmobs – we will occupy public spaces and come together to call for gender equity!

Let’s fill Delhi’s streets with our songs, slogans and hopes for a gender just world ! Join us to weave a common language for collaborative action, which moves hearts, heads and feet.

Let’s come together to claim our streets and public spaces, and build solidarity to end gender based violence. Let our voices be heard in every street and corner, inside every home, across all public spaces and institutions in Delhi !

Details of the Event
Date: 25th November 2023, Saturday | Timing : 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Location: Community Centre Market, Block A, Friends Colony East, New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110025, Landmark – Near Dominos | Google Map Location:

Participating Organizations – Centre for Equity & Inclusion (CEQUIN), Centre for Advocacy & Research (CFAR), YP Foundation, Pravah, TARSHI, Centre for Health & Social Justice (CHSJ), Astha, Dhanak for Humanity, Action India, Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), Basic Foundation, Raahgiri, JOSH, Yellow Streets, Compassion Contagion, Buniyad Educational & Social Welfare Society, Baligha Trust, Nazariya, Greenpeace India, Manzil Mystics

Founded in 2009, Centre for Equity and Inclusion (CEQUIN) works towards gender equity, with a rights-based and ‘sports for development’ approach.

NOTE: Issued by CEQUIN.