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16 days of activism 2020

Due to increasing social stress, the corona pandemic has led to more violence against women and girls, trans and non-binary people. In some countries, the abuse rate has risen to 30%.

Throughout the Covid19 pandemic we've seen how government responses have led to violence against women, and seem to justify the violence. The implementation of 'gender-blind and gender-insensitive' measures to contain the COVID-19 virus clearly demonstrates the deep-seated and institutionalised patriarchal norms that shape government responses that affect the experiences of women, girls, transgender and gender-nonconforming people. make the priority or invisible. The failure of resource allocation to meet their needs during COVID-19 is a symptom of systemic discrimination.

We've had enough and it's time for #LockdownPatriarchy. Violence against women and girls cannot be the "new normal", so we fight against it and want extra attention during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. Running from November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, to December 10, International Human Rights Day.

  • Ethiopia

    In Ethiopia the theme “peace for women, from home to country” is central during the activities organized by Oxfam and Partners in the light of 16 Days of Activism. It reflects the current situation in the country. The activities organized during the 16 Days of Activism set a spotlight, inform, and raises awareness about gender-based violence in the project implementing regions. Based on this principle, the community conversation groups are discussing about gender-based violence and national peace to inspire, invigorate the youth and the community members at large through out the project areas. They started the discussion the 25th of November 25 and will last till the 10th of December

  • Indonesia

    In Indonesia, Empower Youth for Work collaborated with Creating Spaces and Indonesia Women in Leadership projects to mark the of 16 Days of Activism by promoting Oxfam’s ENOUGH campaign #lockdownpatriachy (locally translated as #karantinapatriaki, and complemented by #kitasetara, meaning “we’re equal”). The campaign calls for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls, which have increased during the pandemic. The 16 Days of Activism in Indonesia included a public dialogue on an increase in child marriage, the impact of large-scale social restrictions on young women, the rise in sexual violence cases, and a local government initiative on raising the minimum legal age for marriage. Other activities included a social media campaign, a ‘post the card’ initiative, a podcast, a radio show and an online concert. Read more

  • Pakistan

    Oxfam in Pakistan celebrated the 16 Days of Activism by joining the ENOUGH campaign’s call to #lockdownpatriarchy under the local theme of Janay Na DU (Don’t let it go). The campaign aims to call out all forms of violence against women and girls, by inspiring people to challenge and change patriarchal social structures that perpetuate and justify gender-based violence, particularly against the backdrop of Covid-19. A mass awareness campaign reached more than 15 million people nationwide through social media, radio, a TV talk show and the airing of ten campaign videos on television. These highlighted the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on unpaid care work, women’s economic empowerment, violence against women and sexual harassment online, in public spaces and at work. Celebrities backed the campaign by delivering hard-hitting messages via social media on the violation of gender rights, its impact on society and the need to break the silence on gender issues.  Read more

  • Bangladesh

    The Empower Youth for Work project in Bangladesh marked the 16 days of Activism with a wide range of events and online actions. In Rangpur, more than a thousand people took part in a discussion session with local government members, while in Rajshahi, the winners of an online speech competition for young men were awarded with domestic appliances, to help spread the message on sharing unpaid care work. A bicycle rally in Khulna got the attention of the public and echoed the campaign’s demand for an end to violence against women. Meanwhile, in Barishal, young people surveyed people across the community to ask about their views on the issue and how best to tackle it. Read more