2009 International Calendar of Campaign Activities

International Activities

Organization: American Refugee Committee
Locations: USA, Rwanda, Pakistan, Uganda, Thailand, Liberia, and Southern Sudan
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: (USA) Open House at the headquarters in Minneapolis and presentations at two events in Washington DC on working with men and boys in conflict-affected communities to stop violence against women and girls; (Rwanda) films, drama, dance, and sensitization meetings on GBV in 3 refugee camps with refugees from the DRC; (Pakistan) conversations on HIV/AIDS, human rights, and health issues affecting women and a painting and embroidery work competition focused on HIV/AIDS with refugees and internally-displaced people; (Uganda) music, dance, drama, debate and sporting events as part of the regional campaign “Happy and Healthy Relationships are Violence Free!”; (Thailand) awareness-raising activities and distribution of campaign materials in all refugee camps where ARC works; (Liberia) participation in country activities; and (Southern Sudan) hosting community events and radio talk shows to raise awareness of GBV and HIV. For full details, see attached information sheet.
Contact: Therese Gales (Public Affairs Manager); ThereseG@ARChq.org or tel +1 (612) 607-6494
Website: http://www.ARCrelief.org

Organization: Amnesty International
Location: Online
Dates: November 25, 2009 – January 31, 2010 (the petition launched on 25th November and will be open until the end of January 2010)
Description: Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women Campaign is launching a web petition: Make the United Nations more effective in realizing women's rights. Show your solidarity for women worldwide and sign the global petition to the President of the UN General Assembly! Take action to support the creation of a new strong women's entity at the UN. How: Sign the petition on Amnesty International's website from Wednesday 25th November at the links listed below and distribute these links as widely as possible!
Contact: Stop Violence Against Women team at: svawteamcp@amnesty.org
Website: http://www.amnesty.org/en/gear (English) http://www.amnesty.org/es/gear (Español), http://www.amnesty.org/fr/gear (Français), http://www.amnesty.org/ar/gear (Arabic)

Organization: Bloggers Unite
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 - December 10, 2009
Description: Bloggers raising their voices (or keyboards) to bring awareness to violence against women
Website: http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/international-day-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women

Organization: CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), member of Caritas Internationalis
Location: Online, London, Kwala Zulu Natal Province in South Africa
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: This if the first year that CAFOD has participated in the 16 Days but it is not the beginning of our work on GBV, so we intend to showcase the work that our partners have been doing over the preceding years. We plan to highlight gender-based violence and its impact on local communities and individuals. This will be done through the CAFOD website with stories, case studies, poem, reflections and prayers from the three continents we work in, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and Asia. For the 16 Days of Activism CAFOD is supporting a church based partner in South Africa, SOFIA – Sisters Of Faith In Action, to work with the existing Church structures to create space for Christian women to articulate and elevate their voices so that they are able to demand their rights, practice their responsibilities and challenge traditional notions of leadership within Society. SOFIA will write blogs on their activities which will feature on the website throughout the 16 Days of Activism.
Contact: Catherine Skehan; cvskehan@cafod.org.uk
Website: http://www.cafod.org.uk/16days

Organization: The Communication Initiative
Location: Online  
Dates: Publication date – November 23, 2009
Description: Feature on the "Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Violence" in the current issue of the e-magazine, The Drum Beat. The Drum Beat is designed for the international development community and anyone interested in communication for social development and change. Our current subscribers include more than 40,000 individuals and organisations.
Contact: info@comminit.com
Website: http://www.comminit.com/en/drum_beat_519.html

Organization: Global Fund for Women
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: In solidarity with the campaign theme "Commit, Act, Demand: We CAN End Violence Against Women!", the Global Fund for Women will highlight the work of five grantee partners that approach violence against women from a human rights perspective, and how the eradication of such violence is critical to achieving genuine peace and security. Over the next 16 days, watch for stories of these groups striving to reverse the trend of violence. The staff of GFW also put together a video which can be viewed on the website.
Contact: media@globalfundforwomen.org
Website: Global Fund for Women website

Organization: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
Location: International
Date: November 25, 2009
Description: As part of its campaign “Parliaments Take Action on Violence against Women,” the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) invites parliaments to mark the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, by organizing events on or around on 25 November 2009 such as: Hold a special debate in parliament on violence against women; Adopt a parliamentary resolution or declaration; Conduct a national review of progress made and existing challenges; Distribute petitions for action on violence against women; Hold consultations and public hearings on violence against women; and Organize a conference or seminar to address all forms of violence against women or a prevalent form of this type of violence at the national level, etc. The IPU designed a poster and a brochure to assist parliaments for this purpose. Copies of the poster, brochure and of the IPU’s publication A Parliamentary Response to Violence against Women (2009) are available on the IPU website at: http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/vaw/day.htm. The IPU would also be pleased to send Parliaments copies of these documents at request.
Contact: postbox@mail.ipu.org
Website: An inventory of the events organized by parliaments will be posted on the IPU website at: http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/vaw/day.htm.  

Organization: Inter Press Service (IPS)
Location: Rome, Italy
Date: November 26, 2009
Description: Annual support group meeting with the theme “Millennium Development Goal 3 and the role of the media.” As the meeting falls during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, IPS will hold a session focused on how communication can contribute to ending violence against women and recognizing the 30th anniversary of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women). Senior representatives of governments, civil society partner organizations, U. N. agencies and academics will introduce innovative ways of getting messages across, and stimulate a debate about how to strengthen communication efforts on gender issues. During the Support Group meeting, IPS will also hold the international launch of its new Reporting Violence against Women media handbook.
Contact: SupportGroup@ips.org
Website: http://www.ips.org/institutional/2009-ips-support-group-26-november-rome/

Organization: Man Up Campaign
Location: Online applications for participants from 50 countries (see list on website)
Date: December 9, 2009 – January 22, 2010
Description: Call for applications to our Young Leaders Summit to stop violence against women and girls – Deadline is January 22, 2010. During The World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Man Up will bring together 200 young men and women from 50 countries at the launch of a five-year campaign to stop violence against women and girls. Delegates to the Summit will learn how to plan and execute initiatives in their native countries and will be offered a multitude of resources and guidance from renowned nongovernmental organizations, athletes, musicians and artists throughout the five-year campaign. This same cadre of delegates will gather again in Brazil at The World Cup 2014 to share their experiences and demonstrate how youth can make the world a safer place for women and girls. To learn more, see attached press release or online application.
Contact: application@manupcampaign.org
Website: http://www.manupcampaign.org

Organization: Nobel Women's Initiative
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: On Wednesday, November 25th, Nobel Women's Initiative will launch its 16 Days of Activism project.  For 16 days, Nobel Women's Initiative will spotlight stories about women activists around the globe at http://nobelwomensinitiative.org/blogs/16days. Each day we will post on our site a video, photos, or story about a woman who is doing amazing things to make change in her world. Check back every day from November 25th until December 10th, to learn about these incredible women.
Contact: kmackenzie@nobelwomensinitiative.org
Website: http://nobelwomensinitiative.org/blogs/16days

Organization: Peace is Loud
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: “Many Voices, One Story” In keeping with the mission of Peace is Loud to amplify women's voices and recognize women's knowledge of peace-building, Peace is Loud will be participating in the 16 Days Campaign this year. Peace is Loud will be gathering the words, biographies and reflections of 16 amazing women activists during this time and highlighting one woman per day.  Please make sure to check in everyday from November 25th - December 10th to learn about these 16 powerful activists, including Hibaaq Osman, Abigail E. Disney, Korto Williams, Mallika Dutt, Debora Barros Fince, Terry McGovern, L. Muthoni Wanyeki, Aset Chad, Dorothy Johnson-Speight, Thelma Ekiyor, Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, Mu Sochua, Leymah Gbowee, Zainab Salbi, Teresa Mejia, and Winnie Byanyima.
Contact: celine@peaceisloud.org
Website: http://www.peaceisloud.org

Organization: Peace X Peace
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: During the 16 Days Campaign, we will dedicate the “Voices from the Frontlines” space on our homepage to survivor stories and stories about women working to end sexual violence. To submit your own first-person story or perspective, along with a square (or nearly square) jpeg photo, visit http://www.peacexpeace.org/content/en/yourstory/write?publish. The text must be under 500 words.
Contact: Mary Liepold (Communications Manager); maryl@peacexpeace.org or 202.684.2076
Website: http://www.peacexpeace.org

Organization: Save Darfur Coalition
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: We will be honoring 16 Movement Leaders and giving our activists 16 “Matching Actions” inspired by our honorees.
Contact: Melissa Batchelor Warnke, melissa@savedarfur.org
Website: http://www.savedarfur.org/16days

Organization: Second Life Left Unity
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: A coalition of social justice groups within Second Life will be marking the 16 Days Campaign here in SL by organising a series of discussions, presentations & exhibits highlighting violence against women internationally. Topics will include: women fighting for peace in Isreal & Palestine; the white ribbon campaign and men’s role in challenging male violence; anti slavery and trafficking in women; commercial sexual exploitation & the links between different forms of violence against women; rape and sexual violence as a human rights issue; the situation for women in Iran; femicides in Mexico; Amnesty International campaign on ending violence against women and Taking Back the Tech - representations of VAW in SL.
Website: http://slactivists.ning.com/

Organization: Take Back the Tech! Campaign, organized by Association for Progressive Communications’ Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP)
Partner organizations: Various groups, individuals, networks, and organizations around the world
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: Take Back the Tech! is a collaborative campaign to reclaim information and communication technologies (ICT) to end violence against women (VAW). The campaign calls on all ICT users – especially women and girls – to take control of technology and strategically use any ICT platform at hand (mobile phones, instant messengers, blogs, websites, digital cameras, email, podcasts and more) for activism against gender-based violence. Take Back the Tech! accompanies the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (November 25 – December 10 each year) with daily actions that explore different aspects of violence against women and ICT tools.
Contact: ideas@takebackthetech.net or to speak to someone from APC WNSP, email: jac AT apcwomen DOT org, or erika AT apcwomen DOT org
Website: http://www.takebackthetech.net/ (English, Spanish, and French)

Organization: United Nations
Location: UN Headquarters, New York, NY
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Description: Commemoration of International Human Rights Day. See attached schedule for list of events throughout the day.
Website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/HumanRightsDay2009.aspx

Organizations: United Nations (A working group of the United Nations Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE), composed of OHCHR and UNIFEM (co-chairs), UNICEF, UN-DAW, UNDP and UNFPA)
Location: ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY
Date: December 3, 2009 at 10:00-13:00
Description: Global CEDAW 30th Anniversary Celebration Event: On 3rd December 2009, the United Nations will hold a global celebration for the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The event will bring together speakers from around the world who will share examples of how the Convention has been used to implement women’s human rights and achieve gender equality in their country. Participants will hear how CEDAW has been applied to law, policy and judicial decisions, heralding and securing greater human rights for women and girls. Attendees will also learn how the Optional Protocol to the Convention—which celebrates its 10th year in 2009—has succeeded to raise awareness about the Convention and bring justice to individual women. Opening remarks by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and a live performance by Sarah Jones. Due to space restrictions, the event is by invitation only. However, the celebration will be webcast live on UN webcast: http://www.un.org/webcast/.
Contact: jessica.hughes@unifem.org or +1 917 484 8080
Website: http://www.unifem.org/cedaw30/

Organization: The United Nations Development Fund for Women - UNIFEM
Location: Online
Dates: November 9, 2009 – November 25, 2010
Description: Phase Two of the Say NO to Violence Against Women Campaign: Last year 5,066,549 people from around the world, civil society organizations and governments signed on to Say NO, sending the urgent message to governments everywhere that ending violence against women and girls must be a top priority. This November, UNIFEM will take the initiative one step further and launch a new platform for action, Say NO–UNiTE to End Violence against Women. It is UNIFEM’s contribution to the UN Secretary-General’s campaign to end violence against women involving governments, civil society and the entire UN system. Say NO–UNiTE will count and showcase actions taken by individuals, organizations and governments worldwide to end violence against women. Whether you volunteer at a shelter, reach out to students, advocate for better laws and policies — every action counts. For more information, see attached platform for action.
Contact: urjasi.rudra@unifem.org
Website: http://www.saynotoviolence.org

Organization: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and WomenWatch
Location: Online
Dates: November through December
Description: Online-conversation "Violence against women: How can we overcome this persistent human rights violation?" Throughout November and December, the conversation topic focuses on issues around violence against women and intends to explore the many human rights and development challenges. The online-conversation is wide-reaching, highly participatory and an opportunity for groups and individuals to share their perspectives.
Contact: Radha Patel at ichristensen@unfpa.org
Website: http://www.conversationsforabetterworld.com

Organization: United Nations – UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign
Location: Trusteeship Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
Description: Launch of the Secretary-General’s “Network of Men Leaders” with an address by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Prime Minister of Spain (video), the Minister of Justice and Police of Norway, Archbishop Desmond Tutu (video), Mr. Todd Minerson (Executive Director, White Ribbon Campaign), and Ms. Maria Rashid (Executive Director, ROZAN). A round-table discussion on “Involving Men and Boys in Ending Violence against Women” will follow. For more details and full list of speakers, see attached flyer.
Contact: Those without a UN Grounds Pass must contact OSAGI (E-mail: cortesp@un.org or Ph: 1-917-367-3197)
Website: http://endviolence.un.org/

Organization: Women for a Change
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: Online action “A Safe World: Say No to Violence Against Women!” to demand that governments act to support the principles of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which was adopted in 1993. Endorse the campaign by signing on at www.asafeworldforwomen.org
Website: Women for A Change website

Organization: Women Peacemakers Program of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation
Location: International training at Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands
Date: November 30 - December 11, 2009
Description: Training of Trainers on Gender-Sensitive Active Nonviolence for men, entitled “Overcoming Violence - Exploring Masculinities, Violence and Peace.” To learn more, read the attached statement, which was an outcome document of the training.
Contact: José de Vries (WPP Information Officer);  j.devries@ifor.org
Website: http://www.ifor.org/WPP

Organization: Women WON’T Wait: End HIV & Violence Against Women. Now. Campaign
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: Members of the Women WON’T Wait coalition will be blogging throughout the 16 Days Campaigns with a new article each day. Topics include: women human rights defenders, sexual rights work, violence against sex workers, female condoms, climate change, sexist violence, criminalization of HIV, violence against lesbian, bi and transsexual women, violence against women in conflict situations, accountability, and more. Read the Blog articles here.
Contact: info@womenwontwait.org
Website: http://www.womenwontwait.org

Organization: World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC-WIN)
Location: International
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: Internet Broadcast Campaign. Community radio producers from Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America and Latin America and the Caribbean will dedicate this year’s 16 Days Campaign to highlighting the efforts of women and men working to bring an end to gender violence. The audio files of some of the participating community radios and production groups in the 16 Days AMARC-WIN will be available at www.amarc.org/16jours. The programs featured will include documentaries, interviews, debates, poetry, music and much more. This multilingual broadcast campaign mobilizes community radios around a global issue and encourages them to use new communication technologies such as the Internet to extend the reach of their voices.
Contact: secretariat@si.amarc.org
Website: http://www.amarc.org/16jours (French) or http://win.amarc.org/index.php?p=16_Days_Against_Violence_on_Women_2009 (English)

Organization: World Pulse
Location: Online
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: This year we are encouraging members to write on the topic and share their own activism with our community. The response we've had has been great and you can read the journals at the link listed below. We've asked members to write throughout the 16 Days and use the tag "16 Days 2009" to add their own voice to the movement.
Website: For a listing of all blog posts tagged under “16 Days 2009,” visit http://www.worldpulse.com/taxonomy/term/6871

Organization: World YWCA
Location: International
Dates: November 25 – December 10, 2009
Description: The elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls is a top priority for the World YWCA. In nearly 70 countries, YWCAs provide services for women facing violence and abuse. For many women, the YWCA represents a safe space. Through advocacy and services, YWCAs are working to ensure women and girls in their communities can live lives free of violence. The YWCA is making a call to governments, international organizations and civil society to take the following four steps to end violence against women: 1. Commit to safety and security for women and girls; 2. Commit to adequate funding to end violence against women; 3. Act by partnering with civil society; 4. Demand greater understanding of the intersectionality of HIV and VAW
Contact: kaburo.kobia@worldywca.org; Tel: +41229296030
Website: Read more about these points on the World YWCA website

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International Calendars of Campaign Activities
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