From November 25 through December 10, USAID joins the international community for #16Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
This year's global theme for the #16Days Campaign is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All.” Whether it’s creating safe spaces for youth to learn and play, strengthening laws to protect them, or training teachers to give them the support they need to thrive, we’re working to help ensure that girls and boys, and women and men, can enjoy universal access to education free from gender-based violence.
Find out how USAID is reducing gender‐based violence; child, early and forced marriage; and trafficking in persons.
What is Gender-based Violence?
Gender-based violence (GBV) is an umbrella term for any harmful threat or act directed at an individual or group based on actual or perceived biological sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation and/or lack of adherence to varying socially constructed norms around masculinity and femininity. It is rooted in structural gender inequalities, patriarchy and power imbalances. GBV is typically characterized by the use or threat of physical, psychological, sexual, economic, legal, political, social and other forms of control and/or abuse. GBV impacts individuals across the life course and has direct and indirect costs to families, communities, economies, global public health and development.
This definition is a revised, interagency definition from the 2016 Updated U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally. Preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) is a cornerstone of the U.S. Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and promoting gender equality.
What We're Saying on Social
Hashtags: #16Days #EndGBV
- Costs & consequences of violence against women last for generations-we’re working to #EndGBV worldwide: bit.ly/2f5Z2hZ #16Days
- We can’t #EmpowerWomen without empowering men and boys, too: bit.ly/2f5T0xV #16Days #EndGBV
- Girls who marry before 18 are less likely to complete their #education and more likely to experience GBV: bit.ly/2f5Vb4w #16Days
- Learn how USAID provides #GBV survivors with vital, life-saving services in more than 40 countries → bit.ly/2f5XTah
- Globally, 1 in 3 women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime: bit.ly/2f5Z2hZ #EndGBV #16Days
- Read the 2016 Update to the United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to GBV Globally: bit.ly/2ev0Uov #16Days #EndGBV
Video Posts
An Unspeakable Act. A Heroic Survivor
- See how medical support, counseling, legal services help young girls heal from horror of sexual violence: bit.ly/2euSgGy #16Days
- Susan was 11 when sexual violence stole her childhood; see how a USAID-funded program is helping her heal: bit.ly/2euSgGy #16Days
My name is Tania: On Colombia's Caribbean coast, a trans activist takes on the establishment.
- Watch Tania, the first transgender student at public university in Cartagena, advocate for LGBTI community #16Days bit.ly/2euZxpu
Vice President Biden Speaks at the White House Summit during the United State of Women Summit
- Watch Vice President Joe Biden speak about the need to #EndGBV at home and abroad. bit.ly/2ev0jDd #16Days
Captioned Images for Facebook and Instagram
USAID Events for #16Days against GBV
Is your office or Mission planning activities in support of #16Days against GBV? Enter your plans to #EndGBV in our campaign tracker below.
Significant Dates
- November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
- November 29 - International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
- December 1 - World AIDS Day
- December 5 - International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
- December 6 - Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, which is observed as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada
- December 10 - International Human Rights Day and the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Additional Resources
Websites
- USAID's Office of Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
- USAID's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence
Infographics
- Addressing Gender-based Violence
- Violence in Women's Lives
- How Does Early, Child, and Forced Marriage Impact Your Work?
Reports
- 2016 Update to the United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to GBV Globally [PDF, 4.4MB]
- USAID Evaluation of Implementation of the United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to GBV Globally
- Working with Men and Boys to End Violence against Women and Girls
- Child, Early and Forced Marriage Resource Guide [PDF, 3MB]