The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. The International Human Rights Day commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The commemoration of the 16 Days of activism was initiated by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Grass-roots women’s organizations, national, regional and international non-governmental organizations, as well as United Nations agencies and governments raise awareness, mobilize constituents, demand accountability and showcase progress on eliminating gender-based violence (GBV). The Global 16 Days Campaign is underpinned by feminist values, human rights principles and the belief that a world without violence is possible.

In Africa, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in GBV has been noted across the region. Since the beginning of lockdown to mitigate the transmission of the virus, Member States have reported a surge in GBV. The informal social safety nets and networks many women previously relied on for support are weakened due to reduced physical mobility and social distancing. Women who face violence from their intimate partners are forced to stay locked with their abusers. Moreover, access to justice for women GBV is made even more difficult during lockdowns.

The spike in GBV has been noted despite a decrease in reporting due to movement restrictions and the fact that GBV cases tend to be underreported. Collection of data on GBV will help identify the risk factors; how availability of services for women survivors of violence is being affected; how women’s access to such services and help-seeking from formal and informal sources is affected; what new short and medium-term needs arise.

The African Union (AU) has adopted key legal and policy frameworks to mobilise action to address GBV in AU Member States. The Maputo Protocol, a legally binding instrument that has been ratified by 42 Member States has set a comprehensive set of women’s rights, with specific provisions on “Rights to Life, Integrity and Security of the Person”. Moreover, Agenda 2063 commits AU Member States to end violence and discrimination against women and girls as well as to end all harmful social norms and customary practices that promote violence and discrimination against women and girls in Africa.

In this regard, the AUC through the Women, Gender and Development Directorate (WGDD) in coordination with partners regularly promotes the implementation of these commitments through various policy advocacy platforms and commemorative events such as the 16 days of activism against GBV to create enhanced awareness of the key priorities and seek greater commitment of all stakeholders to address the issues.

In light of the above background and in commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism, the AUC-WGDD, UN Women, OHCHR, UNFPA propose to organise series of continental advocacy related activities that aim to mobilise the commitment of AU Member States and other stakeholders to ensure that the public health crisis will not deprioritize the rights of women and reverse the achievements made in advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women.

• Promote the 16 Days of activism and its goals through online campaign
• Raise awareness on the impact of COVID 19 on the increase in the rate of GBV in Africa
• Promote dialogue on actions that have been taken to combat GBV in the context of COVID 19 in Africa, promising practices, the opportunities as well as the gaps
• Enable the identification of practical recommendations on priority actions to end GBV by stakeholders at continental and national levels in Africa
• Seek commitments to the establishments and strengthening of multi-stakeholder partnerships to support initiatives at all levels in Africa

• Partners and Member States’ awareness of the 16 Days of Activism on GBV and the goals of the campaign enhanced
• Stakeholders have better understanding on COVID19/public health crisis as a key driver of GBV in Africa, the opportunities and gaps
• The key priorities of action to address COVID 19 as a driver of GBV identified and promoted.

The African Union Commission led by the Women, Gender and Development Directorate and through their close collaboration with UN Women Agency, aligns with the following call on “10 ways you can make a difference and end Gender-Based Violence”

In 2020, COVID-19 touched our lives in nearly every way, everywhere, as countries went into lockdown and restricted movement to contain the spread of the virus. As doors closed and isolation began, reports of all forms of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, began to rise.

The pandemic of violence against women is not new. Even before COVID-19 hit us, globally, 243 million women and girls were abused by their intimate partners in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified the violence, even as support services faltered and accessing help became harder.

As we mark the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign (25 November – 10 December), let us join hands with survivors, activists, decision-makers, the African Union and the UN systems, and people from every walk of life, to shine a light on the need for funding, essential services, prevention and data that shapes better-informed responses.

Here are just ten ways you can make a difference, safely and with impact.

1. Listen to and believe survivors
Believe survivors. When a woman shares her story of violence, she takes the first step to breaking the cycle of abuse. It’s on all of us to give her the safe space she needs to speak up and be heard.
It’s important to remember that when discussing cases of sexual violence, a victim’s sobriety, clothes, and sexuality are irrelevant. The perpetrator is the sole reason for assault and must bear the responsibility alone. Call out victim-blaming and counter the idea that it’s on women to avoid situations that might be seen as “dangerous” by traditional standards.
Survivors of violence are speaking out more than ever before, and everyone has a role to play to ensure they can have justice.
Don’t say, “Why didn’t she leave?”
Do say: “We hear you. We believe you. We stand with you.”

2. Teach the next generation and learn from them
The examples we set for the younger generation shape the way they think about gender, respect and human rights. Start conversations about gender roles early on, and challenge the traditional features and characteristics assigned to men and women. Point out the stereotypes that children constantly encounter, whether in the media, on the street or at the school, and let them know that it’s OK to be different. Encourage a culture of acceptance.
Talk about consent, bodily autonomy and accountability to boys and girls, and also listen to what they have to say about their experience of the world. By empowering young advocates with information, and educating them about women’s rights, we can build a better future for all.

3. Call for responses and services fit for purpose
Services for survivors are essential services. This means that shelters, hotlines, counseling and all support for survivors of gender-based violence need to be available for those in need, even during the coronavirus pandemic. Every year, the 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for united, global action to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
As the African Union advocates for Gender Responsive Responses to ensure the rights of women are protected and promoted during the pandemic, we also support the United Nations and partners demand in four critical actions, summarized in the 2020 campaign theme: FUND, RESPOND, PREVENT, COLLECT.
Governments are called upon to bridge funding gaps to address violence against women and girls, ensure essential services for survivors of violence are maintained during this crisis, implement prevention measures, and invest in collecting the data necessary to adapt and improve life-saving services for women and girls.

4. Understand consent
Freely given, enthusiastic consent is mandatory, every time. Rather than listening for a “no,” make sure there is an active “yes,” from all involved. Adopt enthusiastic consent in your life and talk about it.
Phrases like “she was asking for it” or “boys will be boys” attempt to blur the lines around sexual consent, placing blame on victims, and excusing perpetrators from the crimes they have committed.
While those that use these lines may have fuzzy understandings of consent, the definition is crystal clear. When it comes to consent, there are no blurred lines.

5. Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help
There are many forms of abuse and all of them can have serious physical and emotional effects. If you’re concerned about a friend who may be experiencing violence or feels unsafe around someone, review these signs and learn about the ways to help them find safety and support.
If you think someone is abusing you, help is available. You are not alone. If you’d like to talk with a trained advocate at a helpline.

6. Start a conversation
Speak out. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation that’s been perpetuated for decades. It’s pervasive, but it’s not inevitable, unless we stay silent.
Show your solidarity with survivors and where you stand in the fight for women’s rights by making your social media profile “Orange” for the 16 Days of Activism.
Use #EndGBVAfrica, #orangetheworld, #16Days and #GenerationEquality to start your own conversation about gender-based violence.

7. Stand against rape culture
Rape culture is the social environment that allows sexual violence to be normalized and justified, fueled by the persistent gender inequalities and attitudes about gender and sexuality. Naming it is the first step to dismantling rape culture. Every day we have the opportunity to examine our behaviours and beliefs for biases that permit rape culture to continue. Think about how you define masculinity and femininity, and how your own biases and stereotypes influence you.
From the attitudes we have about gender identities to the policies we support in our communities, we can all take action to stand against rape culture.

8. Fund women’s organizations
Donate to local organizations that empower women, amplify their voices, support survivors, and promote acceptance of all gender identities and sexualities. The African Union Commission, just like the UN Women works with women’s organizations everywhere to end violence against women, assist survivors, and secure equal rights for women and girls everywhere.

9. Hold each other accountable
You are not alone. Violence can take many forms, including sexual harassment in the workplace and in public spaces. Take a stand by calling it out when you see it: catcalling, inappropriate sexual comments and sexist jokes are never okay. Create a safer environment for everyone by challenging your peers to reflect on their own behaviour and speaking up when someone crosses the line, or by enlisting the help of others if you don’t feel safe. As always, listen to survivors and make sure they have the support they need.

10. Know the data and demand more of it.
To effectively combat gender-based violence, we need to understand the issue. Relevant data collection is key to implementing successful prevention measures and providing survivors with the right support. As gender-based violence has spiked during COVID-19, the gaps in gender sensitive data collection have become more glaring than ever. Call on your government to invest in the collection of data on gender-based violence.

• Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
• The Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa
• 2010-2020 African Women’s Decade
• Guidelines for state reporting under the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
• AU Guidelines on Gender Responsive Responses to COVID-19
• Declaration: African Union Civil Society Organisations Consultation Meeting on Accelerating Actions Against the Impact of COVID-19 on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment