Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee commemorates 16 Days of Activism

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place annually from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to December 10, which is Human Rights Day.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), promote advocacy and mobilise communities to take action against GBV.

The 16 Days of Activism campaign was launched in 1991 by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership at the Rutgers University. Since then, it has become a global movement, with thousands of organisations, governments and individuals participating in the campaign.

The objectives of the 16 Days of Activism are to raise awareness of GBV and its impact on individuals, families and communities and also to promote advocacy and mobilise communities to take action against GBV.

The campaign is to also support survivors of GBV and provide them with access to services and resources, as well as engage men and boys in the prevention of GBV.

It is also to advocate policy and legislative changes to prevent and respond to GBV.

The 2024 theme is “Towards 30 Years Of The Beijing Declaration And Platform For Action: Unite To End Violence Against Women” and the Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee says it stands united with Zonta International and the global community in commemorating the day. 

Zonta Club

In a press release, signed by Ewurama Dawson-Amoah, the President Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee, it said Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) remained one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, taking physical, sexual and psychological forms.

It said violence manifested through intimate partner violence, harassment, child marriage, human trafficking, female genital mutilation among others.

The Zonta Club of Accra Jubilee, therefore, reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality and creating a world free from violence.

It said guided by the principles of Zonta International, “We are dedicated to advocating for policies, resources, and initiatives that empower women and hold perpetrators accountable”.

It said this year’s theme highlights the urgency of accelerating action toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As part of this effort, the club calls on all individuals, organisations and governments to prioritise accountability, resource women’s rights movements and challenge harmful social norms.

It called on all to symbolise hope and a brighter future for women and girls.