The 16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign which began in 1991. The campaign calls for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. This includes, but is not limited to, rape and sexual assault, domestic abuse, child sexual abuse and exploitation, stalking, forced marriage and FGM, and trafficking.
Violence Against Women and Girls in numbers -
- Around the world, millions of women and girls suffer physical and sexual violence. More than 640 million women aged 15 and over have been subjected to intimate partner violence.
- In 2022, 48,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partner or other family members.
- 95% of people trafficked for sexual exploitation in Europe are female
- A woman is killed every three days in the UK by a partner or ex-partner. On average more than five women and girls are killed every hour by someone in their family worldwide.
- In Wirral, 2373 women were victims of domestic abuse in 2023-24. In 50% of these crimes, the perpetrator was a partner or ex-partner.
- And this is just the tip of the iceberg...
In support of the initiative, the United Nations Secretary-General launched the UNITE campaign which runs parallel to the 16 days of action. More information about the UN campaign can be found here 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence | UN Women – Headquarters
Support services across Wirral come together during the 16 days of action to campaign and raise awareness of gender based violence and violence against women and girls (VAWG).
There is support available if you or someone you know is experiencing violence, information about local services can be found here /local-support-services. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
For more information about events running for the 16 days in 2024 or details of how you can get involved, you can email dahub@wirral.gov.uk
You can make the White Ribbon Promise here Make the White Ribbon Promise — White Ribbon UK
