“16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence” is an international campaign to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence, or violence against women. The campaign’s start and end dates, November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 10: International Human Rights Day, were chosen by campaign organizers in 1991 to symbolically link violence against women and human rights, emphasising that violence against women is a human rights violation. Other significant dates designated to recognise social justice and human rights issues are encompassed within the 16-day period, including:

1 December: World AIDS Day

3 December: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

6 December: Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre

10 December: Human Rights Day

Antigua and Barbuda’s campaign is coordinated by the Directorate of Gender Affairs in partnership with the AIDS Secretariat and CARIMan with support from UN.

During “16 Days”, the Directorate of Gender Affairs will work with participating organisations to

· raise awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights violation

· strengthen local work around ending violence against women

· establish a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women

· demonstrate the solidarity of women and men around the country organising against violence against women

· create advocacy tools to ensure that promises made to eliminate violence against women are implemented in the public and private spheres

The theme for this year is: Working Together to End Gender-based Violence

Ending all forms of Gender-based violence in our society is only accomplished if women and men, boys and girls, people from all nations come together to work through the deep-seated issues that cause us to hurt each other. We join in on the global effort to link individuals, civil society and governments to put an end to violence against women in all of its forms, prevent crimes of violence, and punish their perpetrators.

· Working Together to Build Community-based Action by partnering with community actors to strengthening the Sexual Assault Response Center

· Working Together to Increase Public Awareness through collaborations with the National AIDS Secretariat and CARIMan

· Working Together to End Gender-based Violence by supporting men and women in achieving a life free of violence through the Partnership for Peace Initiative

Antigua and Barbuda, join the campaign this year, each one do his or her part as we work together to end gender-based violence in Antigua and Barbuda.