The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that starts on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
16 Days - Toolkit
The National Violence Against Women Network have developed a toolkit of resources to add value to local 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaigns across Scotland. This toolkit supports a number of activities which can be progressed locally and nationally to maximise the impact of this year’s campaign (25 November – 10 December 2023).
The toolkit includes:
- Images of the National Network logo to be used on campaign materials and virtual meeting backgrounds. The logo banner images have been updated to include this year’s chosen theme of Imagine a Scotland without gender-based violence and Light Up.
- Graphics and animations on key statistics/messages relating to violence against women and girls and gender equality.
- A selection of images to use as an MS Teams background.
- A template communications schedule for social media during the 16 Days campaign.
- ‘Imagine’ Theme prompt questions and pledge card.
You can download the 2023 toolkit here.
In order to showcase the use of this toolkit and activity across Scotland, please take pictures and videos of your activity during 16 Days and send to vaw@improvementservice.org.uk
16 Days Calendar of Events
This national calendar of events demonstrates the huge variety of work taking place across Scotland both online and in-person during the campaign. Please submit details of your event/programme of events to vaw@improvementservice.org.uk if you would like it to be included on the calendar below.
Saturday 25th November
Reclaim the Night March: Aberdeen
Marks and Spencer, St Nicholas Centre, Aberdeen, 7.45pm
Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and other third sector partners are joining together for this event which is open to the public to attend. This is to mark the beginning of 16 days, raise awareness of gender based violence and shine a spotlight on violence against women.
Monday 27th November
Conference: Imagine Dumfries and Galloway without VAW
Dumfries, 9.30am - 1.30pm
Dumfries and Galloway will showcase various approaches to Gender-Based Violence prevention that apply to young people.
Booking link for Imagine Dumfries and Galloway without VAW
Reclaim the Night March: Dundee
Dundee City Square, 6.30pm
Public event and march aiming to bring awareness to the issues surrounding gender inequality and violence, and to encourage solidarity and support.
Booking link for Reclaim the Night March Dundee
Tuesday 28th November
Event: Imagine a Scotland without Commercial Sexual Exploitation
Kilmarnock, 9am-4pm
Pan -Ayrshire Practitioner Event focused on CSE. Invitation only.
Event: Women’s Health and Wellbeing Fair
Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, 10am-4pm
Advice and info, stalls, refreshments, meditation, gel nails and crafts. Open to the public.
Reclaim the Night March: Renfrewshire
University of West Scotland, Paisley High Street, 5.45pm
Local residents and campaigners will come together for the annual Reclaim the Night march to call for an end to violence against women and gender-based violence.
Wednesday 29th November
Event: Sexual Harassment – The Truth
Perth, 10am-12pm
This event will explore the reality of sexual violence experienced by women and girls in the UK, the impact this has on survivors and the role we all play in ending violence against women and girls.
Booking link for Sexual Harassment - The Truth
Webinar: Exiting and women who sell or exchange sex in Scotland
Online, 11am-1pm
CSE Aware are hosting a webinar designed for services to understand the process of exiting and be able to provide holistic and coordinated interventions for women. This webinar is an introductory session and not intended as a comprehensive training session.
Booking link for Exiting and women who sell or exchange sex in Scotland
Thursday 30th November
Workshop: Exploring a Public Health Approach to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
Online, 10am-12pm
Public Health Scotland, Improvement Service and Zero Tolerance are hosting a joint session to promote awareness of a public health approach to ending VAWG and develop an understanding of local areas’ capacity across the four steps of a public health approach.
Invite only for members of the National VAW Network and GBV Health Network.
Seminar: How does media shape attitudes to VAWG?
Perth Theatre, 10am - 12pm
Attend this impactful seminar examining the complex relationship between gender portrayals, reporting standards, and combating abuse across multiple sectors: news, gaming, advertising and digital media.
Booking link for How does media shape attitudes to VAWG?
Reclaim the Night March: Fife
Town House, Wemyssfield, Kirkcaldy, 4.30pm
March to come together and raise our voices about women’s rights, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. Followed by a ticketed event at The Old Kirk, Kirkcaldy.
Booking link for After March Event
Saturday 2nd December
Event: A Universal night of female Comedy
The Venue, Perth, 8pm-10pm
Enjoy an evening of female comedy from comedians who have experienced some forms of gender-based violence.
Booking link for A Universal night of female Comedy
Tuesday 5th December
Reclaim the Night March: Ayrshire
Kilmarnock College, 5pm
Open to all members of the public, survivors and partners in the EAVAWP, social work, health, community groups, education, all agencies.
Wednesday 6th December
Event: The Changing World of Gender Based Violence - A closer look into the role of technology
Dundee, 9.30am-4pm
Event for as professionals, across a range of sectors to learn about and consider how technology is changing the way GBV is perpetrated in today’s world.
Booking link for The Changing World of Gender Based Violence
Event: The Petriarchy Online Book Talk
Online, 10.30am-11.30am
Lynne Crawford will host a talk about her book, The Petriarchy, as one of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence events that will raise awareness about gender inequality and violence against women.
Booking link for The Petriarchy Online Book Talk
Exhibition: 'What were you wearing?'
New Volunteer House, 16 East Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy, 12pm-4pm
A powerful display of recreated outfits that victims/survivors were wearing when they experienced sexual assault, accompanied by a short statement from each person. The exhibition aims to challenge victim blaming and the myth that sexual assault can be attributed to a person's choice of clothes.
Drop in or email keri.duffy@fife.gov.uk for more information.
Reclaim The Night March: Perth
Perth Council Building, 5pm
Reclaim the Night and march to show solidarity with women around the world living with fear and violence. Public event.
Thursday 7th December
TED Talk with Luke Hart: Perth
Luke Hart, an award-winning domestic abuse advocate author and international keynote speaker shares his family’s story of coercive control and domestic homicide.
Friday 8th December
Art Exhibition: 'Look to the Future', Dundee
Wellgate Shopping Centre, Dundee, 11am-3pm
Dundee International Women’s Centre are hosting an art exhibition displaying a collection of artworks created by learners for 16 Days of Activism. Walk in Event.
Art Exhibition: 16 Days of Action, West Lothian
West Lothian College, Compass Point, No. 4 on The Square, Livingston, 12pm-3pm
An exhibition of artworks by current and former West Lothian College art students, highlighting issues surrounding gender-based violence.
Survivors Light Vigil, West Lothian
West Lothian Civic Centre, Livingston, 4pm
A vigil to celebrate and close 16 Days of Activism on the theme of Survival Strength & Recovery. All welcome, refreshments provided.
Imagine a Scotland without gender-based violence
This theme was developed as part of the national planning group for 16 Days, and was inspired by the work of the Imagine Project in Dundee.
The Imagine Project 2023 - Community Artwork
Amy Black:
"Over the course of six weeks, I orchestrated a series of workshops for 'The Imagine Project' as part of my Community Education degree. Throughout these workshops, participants discussed the impacts of gender-based violence across diverse and intersectional groups of people within our society. I aimed to create a safe space and platform where people can engage with one another in a respectful manner, learning and reflecting on the issue and using community art to express themselves We discussed the behaviours, ideologies, and attitudes that underpin and perpetuate GBV, as well as the strategies we can employ to address this issue together.
Participants were then asked to create their own personal piece of art imagining what a world without GBV would look like to them. The work was gathered together to create this impactful piece of community art, encapsulating everyone’s individual stories, reflections, thoughts and feelings."
"Imagine" - Poem by Myra Ross
Myra Ross, Highland Violence Against Women Partnership Training Officer, has written a poem inspired by this year's theme. A spoken version of this work is available on Youtube and embedded below.
