One in four girls will experience sexual violence before she turns 18.
Seven in ten girls experience sexual harassment before they leave high school.
What is 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based Violence?
It is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Why is it important?
The 16 Days are an opportunity to unite with partners around the world and reflect on what we can each do in our own communities and in our own lives to eliminate the disproportionate violence faced by women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA individuals.
Indigenous women are nearly three times more likely to experience violence than non-Indigenous women.
In 2018, police-reported data showed that the homicide rate for Indigenous women and girls was nearly seven times higher than amongst non-Indigenous women and girls.
What is Girls Inc.'s role in ending GBV?
By offering as many individuals our #GirlsToo program. The program is working to create a cultural shift towards supporting survivors, breaking the silence around sexual violence and providing education about consent, gender equality and healthy relationships.
According to 2018 police-reported data, women accounted for almost 8 in 10 victims of intimate partner violence
Women with a disability are twice as likely as women who do not have a disability to experience a violent crime.
How do I help?
- Reflect on your own biases and challenge gender stereotypes
- Educate youth about healthy relationships and consent
- Support and believe survivors who come forward
- Promote policies and practices that foster a safe school climate
- Encourage youth leadership and involvement in change
- Call out words and actions that demean women and girls
- Take Action - Be an “upstander” and intervene to prevent harm
Other ways:
- Wear purple on November 25 to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
- Observe a moment of silence on December 6 at 11:00 am, to honour the 14 women who lost their lives at at l'École Polytechnique.
- Wear a white ribbon, which can be ordered online. White Ribbon is the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls, promote gender equity, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.