This year marks the 16th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. The 16 days run from November 25, which is International Day Against Violence Against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day. According to the 16 Days press release, the goal of the campaign is to "increase the visibility of violence against women as a human rights violation." The theme for this year's campaign was announced in August. This year the focus is on activists who have helped make the campaign into what it is today. Many of these activists and human rights defenders have been the victims of violence and intimidation due to their role in defending women's rights. This theme brings home the main goal behind the 16 days campaign: stopping violence against women is an important part of advancing human rights.
Compiled from:
Center for Women's Global Leadership, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/home.html, 8 September 2006
Center for Women's Global Leadership, What's New, "16 Days Theme Announcement", http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/globalcenter/whatsnew.html 8 September 2006