Learn how it came into being and what you can do to help the cause.
Since 1991 16 days of activism has been practiced globally to advocate the rights of women and stand against gender-based violence.
However, the reason for its inception goes back to the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, one of history’s most gruesome dictators.
It started in 1960, when Rafael Trujillo’s regime was still in place in the Dominican Republic. Trujillo reigned for 31 years, until his death. Despite the prosperity it brought to the republic, the gruesome anti-Haitian protests and mass killing were a glimpse into his cruel regime.
Domestic opposition continued till the end of his regime.
As the protests emerged against the dictator, one of the key protesters was the Mirabal sisters. Three out of the four Mirabal sisters who were against the dictator’s regime actively participated in protests against Trujillo.
The Mirabal sisters were gruesomely assassinated on Nov 25, 1960, which was later covered-up as an accident, however, the truth wasn’t a secret, and every Dominican was aware of the assassination.
Trujillo died a year after the assassination in a roadside ambush.
Thirty years later, the UN began its 16 days of activism in 1991 by honoring the Mirabal sisters and commemorating the 16 days starting on Nov 25 each year since its inception.
The annual campaign starts on Nov. 25, which is also the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and goes on till Dec. 10, celebrating Human Rights Day.
The global campaign focuses on eliminating gender violence from the grass roots to the mass roots. The Student Association of George Brown College (SAGBC) is also supporting the annual campaign, Global 16 Days of Activism.
The campaign by SAGBC aims to resonate with this year’s theme which is ‘UNITE! Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls.’
The campaign will run on all SAGBC social media pages, encouraging students to share their inspirations who work for the cause.
“We’re asking for submissions from students and staff who know of someone doing this work and who feel inspired by their contributions so that we can share this work amongst the GBC community and dedicate our social media presence to them,” said Kelsy Vivash, senior communications and marketing coordinator, with the SAGBC. “We’re using the term ‘leader’ quite loosely here. We want to hear about all kinds of leadership, and we welcome submissions of artists, musicians, educators, community activists, or any other kind of influential position whose work has a positive impact in the community.”
To participate in the campaign and support the cause, students can send personal messages to the SAGBC’s official Instagram account, letting them know who inspires you, what they do, and an inspirational quote from them.
