“16 Days of Activism” Campaign Launched

Within the UNIGEM project and in cooperation with 19 universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, this year’s “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” campaign began today. The campaign will run from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, symbolically linking the fight against gender-based violence with the protection of fundamental human rights. The campaign was simultaneously opened with a press conference at the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies “Prof. Dr. Zdravko Grebo” and the first activities at the organizational units of UNSA.

Why is this campaign important?

Gender-based violence (GBV) is present in all societies and institutions, but often remains unrecognized or ignored while femicide is increasing day by day. According to global research, one in three women experiences some form of violence during their lifetime. This is not just an individual problem but a social challenge that requires a systemic response. The “16 Days of Activism” campaign was launched in 1991 and today brings together over 180 countries and thousands of organizations working at local, national and global levels to highlight the scale of this problem and to encourage concrete changes.

What have we achieved so far?

Within the UNIGEM project, in the past three years, TPO Foundation/UNIGERC has achieved significant results:

More than 300 events, including workshops, panels, debates and artistic performances, were organized in cooperation with 19 universities in the region.

Three Winter and two Summer Schools were organized for students and teaching staff

Seven syllabi on gender equality were prepared for integration into curricula. Five publications translated as additional literature for universities

A study on gender equality and gender-based violence published and promoted

A study on menstrual poverty published and promoted

16 Days of Activism campaigns organized

Educated representatives of the police, courts, prosecutors' offices and civil servants

Action plan for 2024

This year's campaign, under the slogan "Let's support victims and survivors", is aimed at raising awareness, educating young people, but also providing concrete support to people experiencing violence. Some of the key events this year are:

Campaign opening on 26/11/2024 -Let's support victims and survivors at 19 partner universities

At all participating universities, in central rooms (halls), posters/boards with basic information about the campaign and the UNIGEM project will be placed. Students, teaching and administrative staff are invited to write messages of support for victims and survivors on the posted boards.

Final event on 10/12/2024 -Reading messages of support

Messages of support, collected during the campaign, will be read publicly as a symbol of solidarity and a joint fight against violence.

Material support for women in Gradačac

Donations will be organized in the form of material support of hygiene packages for women housed in the Zmajevac Women's House in Gradačac, built by the Naš izvor Foundation.