16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence 2025

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence (16 Days) is an annual international campaign, occurring from November 25 to December 10. This campaign began in 1991 to call out and speak up against gender-based violence (GBV), and to renew our commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Key dates

November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

This day raises global awareness of GBV. It was designated in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly. The date of November 25 commemorates the lives of the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic who were violently assassinated in 1960.

December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
In Canada, this day honours the 14 women killed in the Polytechnique Montréal massacre on December 6, 1989, and calls for action against GBV.

December 10: Human Rights Day
This day marks the anniversary of the United Nations adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. This document affirms the rights and dignity of all people and is a milestone in the history of human rights. It has been translated in over 500 languages, holding the Guinness World Record as the most translated document.

Why it matters

• GBV continues to affect women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities at alarming rates. Every 48 hours in Canada, a woman or girl is killed in an act of gender-based violence. In 2024, 240 women and girls were murdered, primarily by men, a 54% increase over pre-COVID rates.^{Footnote1 Footnote2}
• Victims and survivors of GBV often face lasting personal, social, and economic impacts with consequences that can echo across generations.
• GBV carries a high economic cost, with Canadian governments spending billions annually on healthcare, justice, and social services to respond to it.

Ways to get involved

Join the campaign

Kick-off the 16 Days by wearing purple on November 25, for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Honour the victims of the Polytechnique Montréal tragedy by wearing a white ribbon on December 6. Visit the web page of the National Day for other ideas

Read the full text or simplified version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or consult the illustrated booklet of the Declaration on December 10

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Share the 16 Days social media posts or create your own using the images from the digital toolkit below and the hashtag #16Days

Use the 16 Days background below during your virtual meetings

Learn more

Get the stats. Facts, stats and the impact of Women and Gender Equality Canada: Gender-based violence

Learn about 16 ways you can help to end GBV

Test your knowledge on GBV

Check out It’s Not Just, our youth awareness campaign to end GBV

Watch a movie, video or documentary related to GBV such as those available on the National Film Board website (various languages; viewer discretion is advised for some films)

Attend an event in your community to show your support to victims and survivors of GBV. Consider donating to a local shelter if you can

Take action

Adopt these simple but powerful actions all year long:

Listen: be open to learning from the experiences of others

Believe: support survivors and those affected by violence. It is very important that you say the words “I believe you” and “This is not your fault”

Educate (yourself and others): learn the facts about GBV, know what your workplace policies say about violence and harassment, take a course, participate in an event

Speak out: add your voice to call out violence

Intervene: find a safe way to help when you see acts of GBV. Name what you see. Express your concern and ask how you can help. Intervening can also mean providing support and resources

Act: give your time or donate to organizations working to end GBV

Digital Toolkit

Download these visuals (ZIP – 1.7 MB) and use them on your website, social media channels or virtual meetings.