16 Days of Activism

16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence runs from 25 November to 10 December annually.

The international campaign was started by the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It begins each year on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs until Human Rights Day.

The aim is to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

For the past few years, the theme for the campaign has focused on ‘ending femicide’ and this year’s global theme is “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”.

For more information about the campaign, visit the UN Women website.

There are various events and opportunities across the country to get involved in throughout the 16 days including vigils, walks against violence, workshops and plenty of other activities.

Events of significance:

• Sydney: On November 28, participate in the Empty Shoes Vigil at Martin Place
• Western Sydney: On November 29, participate in the March to End Violence Against Women
• Melbourne: On November 24, participate in the Respect Victoria's Walk Against Family Violence
• Brisbane: On November 22, participate in the Fellowship and Advocacy Walk
• Darwin: On December 1, participate in the Breakfast Event on Respectful Relationships 
• Perth: On November 29, participate in the 16 Days in WA Information Forum
• Adelaide: On December 2, participate in the Clothesline Project

Don’t forget: If you are attending any of the walks, wear something orange to support the theme of the campaign — wearing orange represents a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.

Look out for local events and activities that may be in your area through local Council websites. You can also learn more about local domestic, family and sexual violence organisations in your area through our Service Directory. 

If you are looking to participate in events in Victoria, Safe and Equal has put together a list of ways to get involved.

You can find more information about events, conferences and webinars here: Events and Webinars | 1800RESPECT

We’ve pulled together a list of key resources within our website that can help support you.

People who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence:

• Healthy Relationships: Learn more about what are and aren’t the signs of healthy relationships.
• Safety Planning: Safety planning is thinking about things you can do to be safer when living with violence or abuse.
• Escape Bag Checklist: Using this checklist, you can create a list of things that you may want to take with you if you are planning on leaving a relationship.
• Violence and the law: Find links to information, resources and support in each State and Territory.
• Safety apps for mobile phones: Here are a list of apps that may help increase your safety when using devices like mobile phones, iPads and tablets.

Supporting someone: if you are supporting someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family and sexual violence:

• Domestic and family violence: Learn more how you can support someone experiencing domestic and family violence.
• Sexual violence: Learn more about how to support someone experiencing sexual violence.
• Talking with teens about violence: Learn more about how to start a conversation with teenagers experiencing or impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
• Support services: Find out more about the different kinds of services available for someone impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.
• Violence and the law: Find links to information, resources, and support in each State and Territory.

Professionals: If you are a professional supporting someone experiencing, or at risk of experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence:

• Training and professional development: Learn more about various training and professional development opportunities available.
• Work-induced stress and trauma checklist: This checklist will help you understand how you are feeling about work.
• Risk frameworks: Learn more about Risk Assessment Frameworks.
• Events and webinars: Learn more about upcoming domestic, family and sexual violence related conferences, events and webinars.
• Workers and Professionals Connect Newsletter: Keep in touch with the latest updates from 1800RESPECT and sector news through our quarterly newsletter.

We encourage you to follow and tag us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Threads.

You are also welcome to share the below social media tiles. To download, click on the links and then save the image.

You can find more social media resources here: https://1800respect.org.au/promoting-1800respect/social-media-resources

Social media tiles

16 Days - LinkedIn | 1800RESPECT

16 Days - Twitter | 1800RESPECT

16 Days - Facebook | 1800RESPECT

16 Days - Instagram | 1800RESPECT

• 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.
• If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au

Suggested ALT text for the above social tiles:

ALT text: A green square with 1800RESPECT logo,1800RESPECT number 1800 737 732, 1800RESPECT website www.1800RESPECT.ORG.AU and the writing "Available 24/7" is visible in the centre.

#16DaysofActivismAgainstGender-basedViolence is visible in the bottom-right corner.  

1800RESPECT Hashtag to use:

• Use the hashtag #1800RESPECT and #16Days on your social media posts

Other key 16 Days of Activism resources

• Safe+Equal: 16 Days Toolkit
• Our Watch: Bystander research snapshot report
• DV Connect: Get involved in the 16 Days of Activism - DVConnect 
• Respect Victoria: Resources and events
• Respect Victoria: Media messaging

• Order promotional materials for your organisation via our online merchandise store.

• More information here: Promoting 1800RESPECT | 1800RESPECT