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Blog | 21 November 2022

16 Days, 16 Actions…

Join us in marking ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’

Large, bold, black and white text that reads, "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence". Text accompanied by an illustration of 2 people looking at a tablet together and talking. All displayed on a dark green/blue background.
Large, bold, black and white text that reads, "We've put together 16 actions that you can do to learn and unlearn, challenge and act." Text accompanied by an illustration of a person looking at their phone and liking social media content. All displayed on a dark green/blue background.

This Friday, 25th November, marks the start of ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’.

16 Days is an international and annual campaign that started in 1991. It aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence and gets us all talking about how we can end it.

Big words, huge goals, often matched with massive social media coverage and support. But this year we’re bringing the campaign back to its most important part – You.

Our team have put together 16 actions that you can do to learn and unlearn, challenge and act.

Some of these actions are short and quick, and some might take anything from an hour to an evening to complete. Actions highlighted with ** at the start may be triggering for survivors of gender-based violence. So please look after yourself whilst engaging with them, or feel free to skip them all together.

We’d love to know about your 16 Days journey and what you think of each action. So please comment, share and tag us on social media!

  • Day 1: Find out what Gender-Based Violence is.

We’ve put our definition below to help you!

Gender-based violence refers to any harmful acts directed at an individual because of their gender. This includes the persistent and systemic emotional, psychological, financial, physical and sexual abuse and violence directed at women and people of marginalised genders around the world. Gender-based violence is deeply rooted in and fuelled by the existing patriarchy and unequal power structures in our society.

Sign up and receive handpicked titles from our favourite Brighton bookshop. At the end of the month, you have the optional opportunity to discuss the book with like-minded feminists in a welcoming, safe and non-judgemental environment.

“Thoughtful, provocative and intelligent, this game-changing book looks at sexual assault and the global discourse on rape from the viewpoint of a survivor, writer, former counsellor and activist.” – TFB

Develop confidence in recognising and challenging misogynistic behaviour in their everyday lives.

Nina’s fantastic article sets the record straight. False reports of rape are consistently and invariably low. The real problem here is that sexual violence is common in our society, and survivors are not believed.

That way you can keep updated about our trauma-informed frontline services supporting survivors, as well as our campaign and culture change work across Sussex. Plus all the ways that you can get involved too!

Learn about the services RISE provides, the partnerships they have created, talks from an expert panel and the ambition RISE has for the future for survivors.

Bits & Pieces run unapologetically queer workshops that are focuses on feminist principles, body positivity, and dedicated to social justice. The workshop is a fun and free place to explore queer and feminist themes.

  • ** Day 12: Commit to challenging jokes about gender-based violence, including rape jokes.
  • Day 13: Commit to practicing active consent in your everyday life.

We found this video about consent for children a really helpful starting point! (If you are a parent/carer we would advise that you watch it alone first before sharing it with your children and young people).

  • Day 14: Watch this short video explaining the term ‘intersectionality’ and consider what makes up all of your identity, and the folks around you.

Alison discusses her ground-breaking book ‘Me, Not You: The Trouble with Mainstream Feminism’ in this fascinating podcast covering an intersectional approach to sexual violence, and our responsibilities around how we campaign to end it.

  • Day 16: Look after yourself by practicing self-care.

Why not try one of our interactive grounding techniques?

 

Thank you for joining us on the above 16 Days journey. We hope you got as much out of these suggestions as we have, and found this a helpful first step in your activist journey towards a kinder world!