16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence

Every 10 minutes, a woman or girl is killed. Violence against women and girls is not inevitable, it is preventable. It is time to unite against gender-based violence and turn promises into progress.

What is 16 Days of Activism?

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign that aims to raise awareness, inspire action, and mobilise communities around the world to prevent and eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.

The campaign runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day) every year.

Launched in 1991 by the Center for Women's Global Leadership, the campaign connects local and global efforts to challenge discrimination, support survivors, and demand accountability from individuals, institutions, and governments.

Each year, organisations, activists, and communities unite to spotlight the urgent need for change and a world free from violence.

Learn more about 16 Days of Activism

Did you know?

Our role

This year, The Salvation Army National Family Violence and Modern Slavery Stream is running a campaign for the 16 Days of Activism, centred on the theme — unite against gender-based violence.

Over the next 16 days, we will explore practical and meaningful ways we can support, advocate for, and participate in efforts to end gender-based violence within our services, our communities, our homes, and our workplace.

Throughout the campaign, we will:

• Highlight the work being done by our frontline services
• Share stories of those who have faced violence
• Showcase interviews and reflections from staff and survivors across our stream
• Engage with government and policy makers
• Share information, resources, and meaningful opportunities for you to share, engage, and join the movement with us

Our goal — highlight the experiences of survivors, drive meaningful action and change, and build lasting solidarity and momentum that extends well beyond the campaign period.

Enough is enough. Now is the time to unite.

Gender-based violence and human rights

Violence against women and girls remains one of the most widespread and devastating human rights violation worldwide.

This year marks 30 years since the world committed to a courageous vision for gender equality through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995. Since then, women have broken barriers, reshaped policies, and ignited powerful movements worldwide.

Despite these advances, the promises of the Beijing Declaration remain largely unfulfilled for millions of women worldwide.

Systemic inequalities, entrenched socio-cultural norms, rising violence against women, and economic disparities not only obstruct our path forward, but threaten the hard-won gains we have achieved.

Now more than ever, we must stand united, raise our voices, and take bold, collective action to safeguard the rights, safety, and dignity of all women and girls.

Our commitment

The Salvation Army is deeply committed to promoting equality and ending violence against women and girls. We believe that everyone deserves to live free from fear and harm, and we offer support, advocacy, and lasting solutions to create safer, more equitable communities for all.

The Salvation Army Family Violence and Modern Slavery Stream provides specialist support to around 10,000 women, children and families across Australia each year. Our work spans prevention, response, and recovery, offering holistic, trauma-informed care to those experiencing or recovering from family and domestic violence, modern slavery, and forced marriage.

We deliver specialist case management, crisis and longer-term accommodation, outreach services, and children's therapeutic programs, to support safety and stability. Our teams also provide counselling, group programs, and men's behaviour change interventions, working towards accountability, restoration, and lasting change.

Learn more about our family and domestic violence support services.

Get involved

An end to gender-based violence starts with all of us — as individuals and as a collective. Whether it is at home, at work, in school or in your community — we can all take action and bring about true change with our choices, actions, language and attitudes.

Here are some ways you can put your support behind the movement to end gender-based violence.

1. Educate yourself and those around you
   • Learn about the issue: Understand the prevalence, forms, and root causes of gender-based violence, such as inequality, power imbalances, and cultural norms
   • Spread awareness: Share accurate information and resources through social media, community discussions or events
   • Encourage respectful communication: Promote respectful dialogue around consent, equality, and boundaries
2. Become an ally to advocate
   • Listen and believe survivors: Validate survivor experiences without judgment and help connect them to appropriate support services
   • Speak out against harmful behaviours: Challenge jokes, statements or actions that normalise violence or discrimination
   • Use your voice: Write to policymakers, engage with local campaigns, or support advocacy groups working for increased frontline funding and stronger protections for victim survivors
3. Lead cultural change
   • Transform attitudes: Encourage empathy, respect and understanding about gendered violence and its consequences within your family, friends or workplace
   • Model healthy relationships: Demonstrate equitable and respectful interactions in your personal and professional relationships
   • Raise awareness among youth: Promote healthy attitudes and challenge stereotypes through mentorship, sports, or educational programs where you engage with younger individuals

Want to do more?

• Visit this page throughout the campaign period, as we will be sharing new content, stories, reflections and resources regularly that you can use in your daily lives to make a greater impact
• Keep an eye on The Salvation Army social media channels, and engage and consider sharing our campaign content with your networks
• Download the resources available below to show your support and help spread awareness
• Donate to The Salvation Army, to support our family and domestic violence service

Keen to learn more? Check out these resources below:

• Our Watch | Change the story
• Our Watch | Changing the landscape
• Our Watch | Changing the picture
• National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS) - ANROWS - Australia's National Research Organisation for Womens's Safety
• Michael Kimmel: Why gender equality is good for everyone - men included | TED Talk

Downloadable resources

• General poster
• Finding support poster
• Bystander poster
• Infographic poster
• Microsoft Teams Background 
• Yarning Cards, Yarning Cards Short Version

Do you need help?

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Below are some useful contact details for services:

• 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
  Confidential information, counselling, support and referrals for anyone experiencing family and domestic violence. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Full Stop Australia (1800 385 578)
  Free, confidential, trauma-informed counselling for anyone experiencing sexual, family or domestic violence, as well as their friends, colleagues and family members. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800)
  Free, confidential support service for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Mensline (1300 78 99 78)
  Mensline provides professional support and information service for Australian men. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Additional Referral Pathway helpline (1800 000 277)
  Confidential support for anyone who has experienced modern slavery, including trafficking, forced labour, deceptive recruitment, debt bondage, forced marriage, servitude or slavery. Available between 9am-5pm on business days.