International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women & 16 Days of Action

25th November has been marked by women’s activists and organizations since 1981 as a day of protest to end violence against women.

Also known as White Ribbon Day, on 6th December 1989, Marc Lépine shot 14 female students dead and injured another 10 at the University of Montreal, Canada claiming he was ‘fighting feminism’. This led to a group of men in Canada launched the first White Ribbon Campaign in 1991, which has led to ‘white ribbon campaign’ charities in the UK and elsewhere working to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25th November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The UN invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the global nature of men’s violence against women on this day as an international observance.

From 25 November to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls around the world.

Here is some information about events happening in Wales during this year’s 16 Days of Action:

Friday 25 November

  • Light a Candle Service, Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff, 10:45 – 12:00
  • White Ribbon Event, 10:30, Memorial Hall, Wrexham
  • CAHA Women’s Aid, awareness raising, Holywell, Flintshire Tesco
  • Powys White Ribbon Day, 10:00 – 12:00, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells

Monday 28 November

  • University Hospital of Wales Concourse – White Ribbon stand staffed by Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Staff

Wednesday 30 November

  • Launch of AGENDA, The Pierhead, Cardiff

Friday 2 December

  • Centre for Women’s Justice seminar: holding the state to account for violence against women, Cardiff
  • University Hospital of Wales Concourse – White Ribbon stand staffed by Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Staff