16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2025

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at UNODC

The United Nations' international campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, through 10 December, International Human Rights Day. This period highlights that violence against women is one of the most pervasive violations of human rights worldwide.

The campaign began in 1991 as a strategic effort to unite and amplify calls for the elimination of violence against women and girls. Each year, the 16 Days of Activism galvanises organizations around the world and draws the attention of governments to the urgent and critical issue of gender-based violence.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most widespread and serious human rights violations globally, with devastating impacts on individuals, families, and societies. Despite significant progress over the past three decades in strengthening laws, services, and prevention strategies, approximately one in three women worldwide continues to experience some form of violence. While comparable global data on digital VAWG is limited, studies estimate its prevalence ranges from 16% to 58%, highlighting the urgent need for continued action.

Why it matters: Facts & Figures

In 2023, an estimated 85,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide. Alarmingly, 60% of these homicides–approximately 51,000 deaths– were perpetrated by intimate partners or other family members. This translates to roughly 140 women losing their lives each day at the hands of someone they know and trust, or one women killed every 10 minutes.

Beyond physical violence, digital technologies—including artificial intelligence—are exacerbating violence against women and girls (VAWG) by enabling new and rapidly evolving forms of abuse. These include image-based sexual abuse, deepfake pornography, gender-targeted disinformation campaigns, and coordinated online harassment. Disturbingly, 90–95% of online deepfake content involves sexualized images of women, further amplifying their victimization.

The consequences of digital VAWG extend far beyond the virtual realm. Survivors often experience severe psychological trauma and coercive control, and these online abuses frequently escalate into offline violence. Moreover, the pervasive threat of digital violence acts as a significant barrier to women’s public participation and leadership, undermining gender equality and safety in both digital and physical spaces.

UNODC Efforts to Prevent and Combat Digital Violence

What you can do

Staff, stakeholders and the public are invited to get involved, join the conversation, and help raise awareness:

Wear Orange: Show solidarity by wearing orange, the color symbolizing a brighter future without violence. Share your photos on social media using the hashtags #16Days and don't forget to tag UNOV/UNODC to join the global movement.
Attend Events: Take part in events organized by UNODC offices around the world focusing on gender equality, the prevention of violence, and the creation of safer, more peaceful societies.
Spread the Word: Capture and share your moments of engagement. Whether its a photo, or message, your voice helps raise awareness, and amplifies the campaign’s impact.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence UNODC Event(s):

UNODC & UN Women

Addressing Digital Violence Against Women and Girls: Criminal Justice, Responses, Emerging Opportunities, and Challenges

Date: 10 December | Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (GMT+1) | Click HERE for more information | Register HERE

Co-organized by UNODC and UN Women, this public webinar aims to raise awareness, share insights, and foster multistakeholder dialogue on digital violence against women and girls. It will feature a panel of technical experts, highlight Member States’ best practices, and showcase the UN’s work on criminal justice responses to digital violence, including efforts to understand and prevent femicide.

UNODC Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe (ROSEE)

Digital Violence is Real Violence: Building Safer Online Spaces for Women and Girls

Date: 5 December | Time: 3 PM - 4:30 PM (GMT+1) | Registration Closed

This webinar is intended for the general and will bring forward experts from South-Eastern Europe to raise awareness, share knowledge, and foster discussion on the multidimensional nature of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

Join the 16 Days conversation on social media: use #NoExcuse and #ACTtoEndViolence.

United Nations

Office on Drugs and Crime

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at UNODC

Why it matters: Facts & Figures

UNODC Efforts to Prevent and Combat Digital Violence

What you can do

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence UNODC Event(s):