Join the orange wave: 16 Days of Activism against Violence campaign launched in Ukraine

Богдан Петришин

The 16 Days of Activism against Violence social campaign is an annual international campaign that begins on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day.

📍 The 16 Days Against Violence campaign covers the following important dates:

• November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
• December 1 – International AIDS Day
• December 2 – International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
• December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• December 5 – International Volunteer Day
• December 6 – Commemoration of female students shot in Montreal
• December 9 – International Anti-Corruption Day
• December 10 – International Human Rights Day

The major objectives of the "16 Days Against Violence" campaign are to draw public attention to two pressing issues: preventing and combating domestic violence and human trafficking, as well as intensifying the activities of government agencies and public associations to combine human rights efforts.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this problem through lockdowns, but also made it less visible since we see fewer of those who can support and hide our faces under masks.

The United Nations is proposing to wear orange clothing or accessories these days to express solidarity with the movement for a future free of violence against women and girls. Many cities around the world will host events, and famous buildings will be illuminated in orange.

The day was officially declared by the UN General Assembly in 1999, but it began in 1981 to commemorate the tragic death of three Mirabelle sisters who were brutally killed during the dictatorship of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo in 1960.

Since 1991, the "16 Days of Activism against Violence" campaign has been supported in 100 countries around the world to increase understanding and awareness of all forms of violence and to create a social space free of violence.

Problem in Ukraine 

According to the United Nations, about 4 million Ukrainian women suffer from domestic violence each year. And only 10-15% seek help.

In Ukraine, approximately 600 women die each year from domestic violence.

Ukraine joined the "16 Days against Violence" campaign in 2001. A year later, the events and initiatives of the activism, proclaimed by the Second All-Ukrainian Congress of Women, took place in 20 regions of Ukraine, uniting 75 all-Ukrainian public organizations and a wide range of government officials. Such activity testifies to the urgency of the problem of overcoming violence in our state, the search in communities and government structures for the optimal mechanism for responding to both common social problems and specific human misery.

Where to go for help if you are a victim of domestic violence

• call the police at 102
• call the National Hotline on 0 800 500 335 or mobile 116 123
• If you have been physically or sexually abused and need medical attention, contact a hospital or clinic immediately. From there, the information will be passed to the police
• contact the center of social services for families, children, and youth. There, specialists will provide psychological advice
• if there are children in the family who have been victims of or witnessed violence, then you should contact the children's service
• NGOs, such as La Strada Ukraine, can provide temporary shelter to victims of domestic violence or help solve some problems. In particular, help with baby clothes, food, medicine.
• You can get free legal aid at the Free Legal Aid Centers. Lawyers can help with divorce and the protection of property rights.

Schools will hold a "16 Days against Violence" campaign

The Ministry of Education and Science recommends that educational institutions organize and conduct training sessions and other events on the occasion of the European Day for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and the All-Ukrainian Movement "16 Days Against Violence."

The corresponding letter was sent to the addresses of the regional departments of education and science.

It is recommended that schools post information about the planned activities on their websites and inform the participants of the educational process.

To prepare for the lesson, it is recommended to use materials that have been prepared within the framework of the Council of Europe project, "Combating Violence against Children in Ukraine":

1. "Tell an adult you trust" video about preventing sexual abuse of children in a circle of trust
2. "Learn about your rights in a digital environment" booklet with Council of Europe recommendations on respecting, protecting, and enforcing children's rights in the digital environment for children and young people
3. "Start talking" video for children and adults on preventing sexual harassment in sports
4. A series of 6 educational video lessons for parents and adults working with children and for children "Fatherhood in the digital age":

• Child protection online
• Sexual blackmail
• Sexting
• Sex chatting
• Grooming
• Images of a sexual nature used for revenge

All materials of the "Combating Violence against Children in Ukraine" Project are available on the website of the Office of the Council of Europe, which can be used by teachers, social educators, practical psychologists during preventive and explanatory work on violence prevention.

Violence can be economic, sexual, physical, psychological. And to overcome any of its forms, you should start talking and asking for help. It is a hard step for the victims, sometimes they're making decisions for years… So, if there are such people around you, support them. Violence should not be left behind the seemingly safe home. Abusers do not stop after sincere repentance but continue to commit violence.

How to counteract violence and fight the "culture of violence"?

• First, if you're a victim, you should call the National Police, contact the Center for Social Services for Families, Children and Youth or contact the NGO La Strada-Ukraine because these institutions work have professionals who can help you. There is also a "Break the Circle" program, where they can provide you with all the necessary information on how to act in case of violence against you step by step.
• Don't close your eyes if you have witnessed domestic violence! In this case, you can also contact the above institutions, get instructions on how to act, and talk to the victim, to help them and even save lives.
• Talk about it! Talk to colleagues, friends, family, and especially children about how to combat violence and how not to use it against others. Explain that this is an illegal act that harms your health, mental state and is life-threatening. You can write about it on social media to convey your opinion on combating and combating gender-based violence. If you're an expert in this topic, then conduct training, seminars, round tables, conferences.
• If you have every opportunity, become a leader for those women/men who have been victims of physical, psychological, or economic violence. Support them, inform them about ways to solve this problem. The main thing is never to put pressure on such people because it is necessary to understand that to get out of a toxic relationship is very difficult. Therefore, it takes time and patience to convey to victims the need to leave a partner who threatens them.

What should men do?

• The man, first of all, listens to the man. We need to understand that men can support women in this struggle. Talk honestly with your friends and family about your authority and privileges and how discrimination/gender-based violence affects you, your family, and your community.
• Use your position to spread the values ​​of gender equality. Recognize and prevent inequalities in the workplace, talk to management and colleagues that their behavior is harmful.
• Join women's rights movements. For example, you can now write a story about how you witnessed violence, how you counteract it, why you think gender equality is important, and protecting women in their difficult struggle is the responsibility of every man who values ​​those around them.

↓Also read

(Un)safe November: what to do when domestic violence is nearby

Stopping violence against women: 7 articles you must read