16 Days of Activism

CONCEPT NOTE

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM CAMPAIGN

25th NOVEMBER -10th DECEMBER 2012

Background and significance

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991.

           

Participants chose the dates November 25- International Day Against Violence Against Women- and December 10- International Human Rights Day- in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.

           

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including

November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day,

December 1, World AIDS Day, and

December 6, this marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre

December 10, International Human Right Day

The efforts of women right protection in Pakistan had been quite effective in Pakistan where campaign actions had contributed a positive role. Year 2012 being the election year and 16 days of activism may contribute significantly to protection and safety of women and girls from all forms of violence and discrimination.

16 Days of Activisim

There had been very strong mobilization and advocacy on ending violence against women by women rights protection networks at micro, meso and macro level such as EVAW alliance, We Can Campaign, Mumkin Alliance, Women Action Forum, Joint Action Committee and Legislative Watch Groups. The forthcoming 16 days of activism campaign is providing a space to bring in synergy of all forums and networks to create a combined effect and generate political commitment for women right protection especially when the election campaign in underway.    

At the same time it is also important to synergize the local efforts for women right protection to the global community. With this aim, representatives from EVAW alliance, UN Women, DFID, AAWAZ consortium partners build a consensus on the national theme of 16 days campaign in Pakistan. Thus under the global theme i.e

“From Peace in the home to Peace in the world”.

The campaign in Pakistan will be undertaken with the thematic focus on:

"Safety at Home, Public and Work Spaces”

The campaign will be undertaken by civil society organizations, networks and allies each having independent ways to bring in innovation as appropriate to the theme. Some proposed networks are EVAWG alliance, IHI, We can Campaign, Men Engaged, Women Action Forum, Legislative Watch Group and many other at provincial and district level. Media engagements will be used as communication strategy of the campaign.

Campaign focus:

Under the local theme, it is proposed that following will be the areas for campaign actions, leaving space for organizations/networks to adopt innovative ways of campaign actions;

1.          Legislation

Year 2012 being election year keep strategic importance with regard to pending legislation on women’s right protection.  The campaign days thus be strategically planned to lobby with the government by appreciating the previous achievements and demanding consolidation of initiated efforts (pending legislation such as Comprehensive Acid and Burn Crime Bill and Domestic Violence Bill).

Instead of holding seminars, protests and rallies, it will be wise to hold special meetings with policy makers (MNAs, MPAs, senators, and relevant ministries, political party representatives) for pushing for approval of these pending legislations. These special meeting should be a series of meetings continued through 16 days.

2.         Political Empowerment of women

The second component that should be highlighted during this years’ campaign is women’s political empowerment. Under this component two sub themes are suggested:

·         Protection for right to vote

·         Gender responsive political party manifesto

3.         Safe Access of Girl Children to Education

Under the overarching local theme of safety, girls’ safe access to education needs to be focused.  Thus raising demand for conducive environment within and outside schools is another area of attention during the campaign.

Working norms/values:

Ø  All participating organizations/networks should all be acting in synergy

Ø  All solidarity actions must ensure a holistic, inclusive, participatory and well coordinated approach

Ø  All campaign actions should maintain the focus keeping in view the respective organizational strategies of doing campaign.

To bring in synergy and sharing purpose all participating organizations are proposed to share their plans as per following matrix which will help in promoting joint actions, ensure efficient utilization of time and resources.  

Categories: Reports