16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
One in three women around the world will experience some form of gender-based violence in her lifetime. In some countries, that number is as high as 70 percent. Beginning on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and ending on International Human Rights Day (December 10), USAID joins the global community in observance of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. Gender-based violence is a human rights and public health issue that limits individual and societal development with high human and economic costs. It vastly increases women’s risk for a range of serious health conditions, including reproductive health problems, miscarriages, and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. There also are strong linkages to maternal mortality as well as poor child health and morbidity. Although gender-based violence primarily affects women and girls, it also can be directed at men and boys, especially when they do not comply with conventional norms of masculinity.
USAID is committed to working in collaboration with other U.S. Government agencies, NGOs, faith-based communities, private sector companies, and women and men around the world to eliminate gender-based violence. Such violence significantly hinders the ability of individuals to fully participate in and contribute to their communities and families – economically, politically, and socially. During these 16 days, let us reflect and act collectively to end gender-based violence.
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