The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is an international awareness-raising campaign. It takes place every year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day) and includes World AIDS Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the negative impact that violence and abuse has on women and children.

From an early age, when children and youth are exposed to violence, it has a negative impact on their psychosocial development and patterns of thinking or behaviour later on in life. One of the best ways to end violence against women and children is by stopping it from happening in the first place. Programmes to prevent and end violence against women and children must start early on in life. Educating girls and young boys, promoting respectful relationships and gender equality. 

It is essential that youth are actively engaged and participate in the development of strategies, policies and programmes to prevent and end violence against women and girls. In recognition of the important role adolescents and youth play, RIATT-ESA has engaged with youth from all over eastern and southern Africa to write advocacy blogs that call national and international development community to action.

Click here to read the 16 Days of Activism Youth Blogs

We encourage you to share the blog posts, newsletters and key messages with colleagues and on social media. Join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook to help raise the voices of youth.
 
Contact naume.kupe@repssi.org or angelita.silva@repssi.org for questions, to share a blog or opinion piece or support the campaign.

Follow RIATT-ESA on twitter @RIATTESA join the conversation on #YouthVoices #16DaysofActivism