The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism is an opportunity to raise awareness about the health and social consequences of violence against women and strengthen our commitment to collective action.

Gender-based violence has a devastating and widespread impact in the Region, generating serious consequences for the health and well-being of women and girls. However, it is crucial to highlight that violence against women and girls can be prevented and its negative effects can be mitigated.

Violence can be prevented and we all have a role to play! Join us.

This year, the theme of the 16 Days is “Investing to prevent violence against women and girls”, focusing on the importance of investing in different prevention strategies to stop violence from its beginning.

From November 25 to December 10, the Pan American Health Organization joins a coalition made up of governments, civil society organizations, the United Nations system, and other partners to commemorate 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

This international campaign is carried out annually, spanning from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25) to Human Rights Day (December 10). Its main objective is to advocate for the prevention and eradication of violence against women and girls in all its manifestations.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 Days of Activism represents a valuable opportunity to raise awareness about the health and societal impacts of gender-based violence and to reaffirm our commitment to collective action.

This year, special emphasis is placed on the importance of allocating human, financial, and other resources to evidence-based prevention strategies that have the best potential for stopping violence from the very start.

This approach aligns with progress towards the adaptation and roll-out of RESPECT in the Region, the multiagency and multisector framework with seven strategies with the best potential to end violence against women and girls.

CALL TO ACTION

Now more than ever, it is time to take action to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

This is not a new issue for the Americas – there is a wealth of knowledge on how to address violence and many good practice examples that we can learn from and build on to advance this agenda together.

Learn more about priorities and indicators for progress agreed by the Ministers of Health from the Americas by clicking on the Regional Strategy and Action Plan on Strengthening the Health System to Address Violence against Women.

PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa's message on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2023

EVENTS

Invest to prevent violence against women and girls

Join us on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (Panama time) or 10:00 a.m. (Washington DC, or EST) for the webinar Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls, an event to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.

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Strengthening the capacity of the health sector in response to violence against women and girls

Join us on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. (EST) for the webinar Strengthening the Capacity of the Health Sector in Response to Violence Against Women and Girls, an event to launch three virtual courses for health workers, health managers, and policy-makers.

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RESOURCES

SOCIAL MEDIA

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International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2023- 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

CALL TO ACTION

PAHO Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa's message on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2023

EVENTS

SOCIAL MEDIA

Addressing Violence Against Migrant and Refugee Women

Strengthening the health sector´s response to violence against migrant and refugee women and girls

Violence against women and girls with disabilities

Violence against women in the context of climate change

Campaign materials

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