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16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence 2025

25 Nov 2025, 11:54 a.m.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to call for an end to violence against women and girls (VAWG).

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Gloucestershire Hospitals is supporting the 16 Days of Activism, which commences today (Tuesday 25 November) – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – and runs until Wednesday 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Tying in with the campaign, 25 November is also White Ribbon Day – which seeks to end male violence against women. The 16 Days campaign aims to highlight the link between abuse and violence against women and human rights and encompasses other significant dates, including Monday 1 December, World AIDS Day.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, sexuality, sexual orientation, disability, religion or socioeconomic status. However, domestic abuse is a gendered issue; women are much more likely to be victims than men and are far more likely to experience repeated and severe forms of abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviour, sexual violence and violence that results in injury or death.

The global 16 Days campaign is an organising strategy for individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence against women and to:

  • raise awareness about gender-based violence against women as a human rights issue at local, national, regional and international levels
  • strengthen local work around gender-based violence against women
  • establish a clear link between local and international work to end gender-based violence against women
  • provide a forum in which organisers can develop and share new and effective strategies
  • demonstrate the solidarity of women around the world organising against gender-based violence against women
  • create tools to pressure governments to implement commitments to eliminate gender-based violence against women.

What is domestic abuse?

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as the behaviour of a person (A) towards another person (B) is domestic abuse if:

  • A and B are each aged 16 or over and are personally connected to each other, and
  • the behaviour is abusive.

Behaviour is ‘abusive’ if it consists of any of the following: physical or sexual abuse; violent or threatening behaviour; controlling or coercive behaviour; economic abuse; psychological, emotional or other abuse.

This behaviour can consist of a single incident or a course of conduct. Further detail is provided to detail how ‘personally connected’ would be defined and children are now recognised as victims of domestic abuse here: Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (legislation.gov.uk)

It is important to note that domestic abuse is complex and there is overlap in the different types of abuse; it could consist of one or more forms of abuse. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone.

Reclaim the Night: Friday 28 November

Reclaim the Night is an annual walk that demands action to end men’s violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) will be holding its Reclaim the Night march on Friday 28 November at King’s Square, Gloucester, from 6pm to 8.30pm.

GRASAC’s Reclaim the Night FAQ page has further information on the event, such as the route, timings and other details.

For further information, take a look at the poster or email: communitywellbeingevents@gloucester.gov.uk

‘2000 dead women and why we need to stand together against femicide’

Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson has written this blog about the devastating impact of male violence against women and girls, and the very real reality of domestic abuse and violence here in the UK.

Support in Gloucestershire