16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

Starting from 25^th November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and extending till 10^th December, International Human Rights Day, the world observes a 16-days activism campaign – an annual period of heightened awareness and increased media focus on all forms of violence against women and girls. 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the campaign.

This year’s theme is ‘Domestic violence and the World of Work’, where we focus on the widespread and worrisome increase in all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls. As India observed lockdowns and restrictions for prolonged periods, calls to helplines from women locked in with their abusers without viable access to support, soared. This hidden pandemic affects working women too, and calls for an urgent action to address threats to working women’s safety, and for immediate and wide ratification and implementation of the ILO’s Violence and Harassment Convention, C190.

CARE India stands in strong support of this 16-day activism campaign and calls out for your continued commitment in addressing the burgeoning problem of domestic violence during this period. Together, we can break the shackles of patriarchy which inhibit women’s morale and dignity.