16 Days of Activism: Funding grassroots advocacy to #endGBV

AmplifyChange grantees are leaders in the movement for a violence-free world. To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we asked our grantees to share their views on why funding grassroots advocacy is essential for ending GBV. Find out more and hear their voices.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread human rights violation that includes sexual violence, domestic violence, child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Rooted in harmful social norms about gender, GBV causes physical and psychological damage that can have a lasting negative impact on an individual’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

No one is immune to experiencing sexual violence; however, certain populations and communities have an increased risk, including women, people living with disabilities, LGBTI populations, sex workers, migrants and refugees, and those living in conflict settings. While men are more likely to be perpetrators of violence, we must also recognise that pervasive, toxic ideas of masculinity can have major negative consequences on men and boys.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until Human Rights Day on 10 December. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and is coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organising strategy by individuals and civil society groups around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.”[1]

In support of this initiative, we have joined the #OrangeTheWorld campaign, highlighting the work of our grantees who are committed to ending GBV in its various forms within their communities.

Our dedicated 16 Days of Activism webpage provides an overview of GBV across the globe, shares practical ‘How-to’ guides written by grantees, and a podcast episode from Equality Now and explores the impact of the pandemic on GBV and access to essential SRHR services. The webpage showcases footage from grantees presenting their work on GBV and emphasising the need for direct, continued support to grassroots organisations, who we believe are best placed to respond to the needs of their communities to achieve lasting change.

We are committed to supporting civil society groups that have not previously been able to secure donor funding for their advocacy work, as well as ensuring the continuation of funds for established grantees to strengthen the movement and carry on their crucial work to eliminate GBV.

See our 16 Days of Activism website in English and French to watch their short films and find out more.

[1] 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence | What we do: Ending violence against women and girls: Take action | UN Women