16 Days of Activism Against Digital Gender-based Violence

Each year, November 25th – December 10th, we engage in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This campaign started in 1991 to call out and speak up on GBV, and to renew our commitment to ending violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

This year, the United Nations Campaign is focusing on the digital aspect of this violence, encouraging us all to “rally for a world where technology is a force for equality – not harm.”  You will notice that we have taken our CCFA campaign entirely digital this year – in this spirit, instead of displaying the travelling dress sculptures that you have seen each year on the campus, we are inviting you to take part in our digital campaign.

Some Key Dates

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

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

December 1: World AIDS Day
Violence and HIV are interconnected, with survivors of GBV, especially women, at greater risk of contracting HIV due to coercion, stigma, and lack of access to healthcare. This day highlights the importance of integrating GBV prevention into public health strategies.

December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Women and girls with disabilities experience GBV at rates three times higher than their non-disabled peers. This observance calls for inclusive policies and services that prioritize their safety and empowerment.

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 into 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.
• 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.

16 Ways to Get Involved in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

1. Wear purple on November 25
   Show solidarity on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
2. Wear a white ribbon on December 6
   Honour the 14 women killed at Polytechnique Montréal and recommit to ending violence against women.
3. Share posts using #16Days
   Amplify awareness on your social media platforms using campaign images or messages from the official digital toolkits.
4. Use a 16 Days virtual meeting background
   Bring awareness into your online meetings by displaying the official campaign background.
5. Learn about digital violence
   Read up on how harassment, deepfakes, stalking, and tech-enabled abuse disproportionately affect women and girls — and share what you learn.
6. Call out online abuse when you see it
   Use your voice to challenge harmful comments, misinformation, or misogynistic content in safe and constructive ways.
7. Support survivors with your words and actions
   Practice saying “I believe you” and “This is not your fault”—small phrases that have a big impact.
8. Take a digital literacy or online safety workshop
   Strengthen your own skills and help others recognize, prevent, and report tech-facilitated abuse.
9. Donate to a local women’s shelter or GBV organization
   Many shelters are seeing higher needs and reduced funding—every contribution helps.
10. Attend a community event or vigil
    Join others in honouring victims, supporting survivors, and raising awareness.
11. Read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10
    Reflect on the global commitment to dignity and equality for all.
12. Learn the stats and share them
    Help others understand the realities: 1 in 3 women experience GBV, and up to 58% face digital violence.
13. Watch a film or documentary about GBV
    Explore stories through film (such as those available on the National Film Board website) to deepen understanding.
14. Hold tech companies accountable
    Support advocacy calling for safer online platforms, faster removal of harmful content, and more women in tech leadership.
15. Intervene safely when you witness abuse
    Whether online or in person, name the behaviour, express concern, and offer help where safe.
16. Support prevention efforts all year
    Volunteer your time, amplify youth-led campaigns, or support programs that teach healthy relationships, challenge toxic online cultures, and promote equality.

Inequities Closer to Home

If you’ve gotten his far, you might be wondering why we didn’t use the Interactive Dress Sculptures that have graced our campuses in years past. Sadly, they have suffered as women and all equity-denied groups often do whenever funding is reduced. There aren’t enough employees or time for the people who’ve championed those sculptures and their care to move, monitor, and manage the installation.

Across our sector, during the current post-secondary education funding crisis, more women and workers denied equity have experienced job loss than any others. It seemed poignant to us that this year’s international 16 Days of Activism Campaign had a digital focus, since it is the only way we have the capacity to mark it at all.

Tools to Help Keep You Cybersafe

A friend recommended this Women’s Guide to Cyber Safety to our members. It has been created and routinely updated by Wizcase, a team of expert cybersecurity researchers focused on providing information and insights on online privacy, security, and data breaches.

It’s scary to see how many women are still being harassed and how much worse it has gotten with the ongoing repeal of basic human rights for women and people whose genders do not conform to patriarchal norms. But it isn’t just in real life (IRL) that we have to worry and protect ourselves! Too many women are being threatened, abused, and harassed online as well. This very thorough guide can help us avoid putting ourselves at risk of hacking, doxing, and other types of online harassment.

The resurgence of gender-based violence, including discrimination, in Canada and around the world is a stark reminder that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed. By continuing to honour the 16 Days of Activism, we keep our commitment to ending gender-based violence alive. Join us in working to create a world where everyone can live free from fear and violence, not just for 16 days, but every day.

#16Days #16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #StopGBV #ActNow #ComeTogetherActNow #OrangeTheWorld #OurActionsMatter #EndGBVCanada #StopViolenceCanada #NoMoreViolence #BelieveSurvivors #16DaysCanada #WAGECanada #CanadaForGenderEquality #SupportSurvivorsCanada #NoMoreMMIWG2S #ReconciliationInAction