16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2021
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign, starting on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and organisations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.
As in previous years, the colour orange will be used to represent a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls, as a unifying theme running through all the global activities of the UNiTE Campaign.
Locally, Respect Victoria is supporting a raft of activities, campaigns and events throughout the state, and FCVic have put together a calendar of suggested events and actions that financial counsellors might like to participate in to show their support – to see what is on each, hover your mouse over the day.
Day One
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
What can you do today?
Today is the 13th Walk Against Family Violence – click here for more information.
This morning from 11am to 12.15pm, join WIRE, Respect Victoria and partners in a panel discussion about the need for a primary prevention focus when tackling coercive control.
Click below to register for the webinar ‘Preventing and responding to coercive control’
Day Two
Economic Abuse Awareness Day
What can you do today?
Watch the recording of Centre For Women's Economic Safety webinar ‘Responding to economic abuse: One size doesn’t fit all’ – click here to watch on Vimeo.
Attend Monash University’s event ‘Holding nations to account for gender-based violence against women’ from 5 to 6.30pm tonight - click here to register.
Click below to access the Economic Abuse Awareness Day Toolkit
Day Three
What can you do today?
Pick up a pair of ‘Respect Women’ earrings for yourself or for a gift. These earrings are a collaboration between Haus of Dizzy and Respect Victoria, with 20% of each sale will be donated to Djirra.
Day Four
What can you do today?
Today is a great day to learn more about Djirra, a culturally safe organisation who all Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past.
Click below to watch their video about healthy relationships.
Day Five
What can you do today?
Share the Respect Vic ‘16 Days Toolkit’ with your workplace and start some conversations about what you all think ‘Respect Is…’
To get the ball rolling, click here to read the 16 primary prevention-focused statements encouraging individuals and communities to take action towards creating a safe, equal and respectful future, from Respect Vic.
Day Six
What can you do today?
Explore the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency’s (VACCA) Educational Resources, particularly looking at:
Day Seven
What can you do today?
Attend the webinar and panel discussion, hosted by Kingston City Council, Equality, Respect and Youth for parents, teachers, community leaders, council staff and those working with and supporting young people.
This webinar unpacks the drivers of gender-based violence, how these impact the health, wellbeing and safety of young people and what support is available. Today from 4pm to 5.30pm.
Day Eight
What can you do today?
Subscribe to receive the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) gender equality and prevention of violence against women fortnightly e-news update to keep up to date once the 16 Days is over.
Day Nine
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)
What can you do today?
Attend the Women with Disabilities Vic (WDV) Micro-webinar Series ‘Prevention of Violence Against Women with Disabilities Micro-webinar Series’.
This is a self-paced 2-part micro-course aimed specifically at disability, prevention, social services, and government workforces to understand how easily violence against women with disabilities can occur and what actions you can take to prevent it.
Day Ten
What can you do today?
It’s the weekend! A great time to have a discussion about gendered violence with friends or family.
You can use the prompts and tips in the Respect Vic ToolKit. If you encounter opposition, click below to read methods to respond to resistance from Partners in Prevention.
Day Eleven
What can you do today?
Have a lazy Sunday at home, reading a book borrowed from a friend or library that promotes gender equality – there are some great recommendations on pages 17 to 19 of the Respect Vic Toolkit, covering children’s books, young adults and adults.
If you're going to be buying a new read, try to seek out your local, independent bookseller to support small businesses.
Day Twelve
What can you do today?
Are you up to date with your CPD? Today is a good day to explore the CPD Library – there are multiple Family Violence focused resources available.
Click here to look at the upcoming CPD sessions, perhaps there is some FV oriented sessions happening soon that piques your interest?
Day Thirteen
What can you do today?
Today, from 9.30am to 1pm, The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre is offering a webinar called Wellbeing and Sustainability: Prevention Practitioners.
This training will equip participants with the tools to recognise and understand vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, moral distress and burnout and how to prevent it in the future.
Day Fourteen
What can you do today?
Two great toolkits to read and save for future use:
Women’s Health in the North (WHIN) Communications Guidelines for Preventing Violence Against Women
Are you safe at home? Campaign, which is raising awareness about family violence supports in Victoria. Of particular note in this toolkit is a raft of translated resources for CALD community women.
Day Fifteen
What can you do today?
From 4.30 to 6pm today, The Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre is hosting a virtual panel – Achieving women's safety and equality in the workplace
Day Sixteen
International Human Rights Day
What can you do today?
Today is International Human Rights Day. On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to recognise and celebrate through events, connection, and advocacy.
Click here to access the Concept Note and Key Messages, along with social media resources.
Check out the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission’s pledge and resources below.