16 Days of Activism: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence that runs every year from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day) was undertaken in Ethiopia with a series of activities that aimed to reach out to a broad range of stakeholders. 

The 2024 campaign’s theme was “Towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”

The UNiTE campaign calls on all actors—governments, civil society, and communities—to recommit, take accountability, and allocate resources to end violence against women and girls.

Globally, 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In Ethiopia, the numbers are equally alarming. According to the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey, 1 in 3 women have been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused by an intimate partner. 

“These are not just numbers—they represent real lives, real suffering, and a call for urgent action,” said UN Assistant Secretary-General and UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov underlined while speaking an event organized to undertake the campaign. 

“Humanitarian emergencies, conflict, and displacement only deepen inequalities, leaving women and girls more vulnerable to violence. At the same time, we face a global backlash against gender equality and the normalization of violence in all spaces. Impunity remains a major concern, with only a small fraction of cases resulting in justice for survivors,” said Dr. Alakbarov.

Violence against women and girls is preventable. Evidence shows that comprehensive, survivor-centered approaches, supported by dedicated funding and strong partnerships, can make a difference. 

“We must prioritize holistic support for survivors, gender-responsive policing and justice systems, and prevention efforts that address the root causes of violence,” said Dr. Alakbarov.

The UN entities in Ethiopia also undertook the campaign through engaging multiple stakeholders, including government, CSOs, partners, media using a range of platforms. The activities include social media, solidarity walk, aerobathon and Twitterathon.