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 the campaign (25 November – 10 December).
The toolkit includes:
- Images of the National Network logo to be used on campaign materials.
- 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.
The 2026 toolkit is available to download.
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
All together to prevent and end violence against women and girls
In 2026 the chosen theme for the campaign resources in Scotland is All Together to prevent and end violence against women and girls. The aim of this theme is to emphasise that violence against women and girls is everyone’s business, and to promote and celebrate joined up, collaborative working to tackle this issue. The Equally Safe strategy states that “No one sector, organisation, or service can tackle the prevention and eradication of VAWG alone.” The All Together theme calls for collective action across communities, sectors, organisations and individuals.
Examples of local 16 Days campaign activities
- East Ayrshire White Ribbon: A White Ribbon pledge signing event at Kilmarnock train station, encouraging people to sign the White Ribbon Scotland pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women in all its forms.
- Edinburgh Respect Her Space Campaign: Throughout the 16 Days a re-run of the #RespectHerSpace campaign ran throughout Edinburgh. Posters were displayed from the campaign in men's restrooms in hospitality venues. The posters encouraged men to think about the impact on their behaviour in public spaces on women and girls.
- Fife 16 Days 16 Recommended Reads: Developed as part of the 16 Days programme to promote books that contribute to raising awareness about gender inequality and violence against women.
- Inverclyde Posters in Football Stadiums: Inverclyde Council teamed up with Greenock Morton FC and Greenock Morton Women FC to help promote the 16 Days Campaign 2024 with a banner on the main stand at Cappielow Football Stadium. Posters covering the national themes were displayed in all public areas throughout the campaign with a bar code that linked to the 16 Days website.
- Perth and Kinross Campaign Video.
- Shetland Time To Talk Toolkit: A resource for workplaces to have meaningful conversations about Gender-Based Violence and take small, practical actions towards change.
- West Dunbartonshire ‘Tree of Hope’: Designed by women supported by the local Women’s Safety and Support Service (WSSS). A number of women made a hand cut out and wrote a quote of what domestic abuse and the service means to them and their children.
- West Lothian: Breaking the Silence on Gender Based Violence: West Lothian Partners joined forces in an event aimed at breaking the silence on gender- based violence and understanding the barriers experienced by women, particularly Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) communities accessing support. It provided an opportunity for workers to improve their cultural awareness and allowed women an opportunity to share their experiences of gender-based violence.
Please send details of your events to vaw@improvementservice.org.uk to be included on this National Calendar.
Saturday 21st November
West Dunbartonshire: All Together Circuit Competition and Zumba Class
Organised by: West Dunbartonshire Violence Against Women Partnership
12.30pm 4.00pm
Wednesday 25th November
Invisible harms: Tech abuse against women who sell sex or images
Organised by: CSE Aware
10:30am - 11:45am
Online
Hidden CSE: Where is HE Tonight?
Organised by: Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership, TARA and Routes Out
In-person event
Thursday 26th November
East Ayrshire: Reclaim the Night March
Organised by: East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership
Kilmarnock Ayrshire College Campus, Hill St, Kilmarnock KA1 3HY
Meet at 5.30pm
Followed by tea and coffee at WG13, Kilmarnock
Friday 27th November
Perth & Kinross: 16 Days Campaign Launch Event
Organised by: Perth & Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership
Perth Concert Hall, Horsecross Plaza, Perth, PH1 5HZ
11.00am
Monday 30th November
Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) Awareness Session
Organised by: Perth & Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership
9.30am – 10.15am
Online
Tuesday 1st December
Spotlight Webinar: Responding to Tech-Facilitated Abuse
Organised by: Improvement Service
10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
Wednesday 2nd December
Understanding Non-Fatal Strangulation
Organised by: Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Online
Organised by: Fife Violence Against Women Partnership
St Margaret's Church car park, East Port, Dunfermline, KY12 7JB
Meet at 5.00pm
Fife: Reclaim the Night: Let's Talk Event
Organised by: Fife Violence Against Women Partnership
The Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline, KY12 8QH
6.00pm (Following Reclaim the Night March)
Perth & Kinross Reclaim the Night March
Organised by Perth & Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership
Civic Hall, 2 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PH
Meet at 5.30pm
Thursday 3rd December
Embedding Lived Experience of VAWG
Organised by: Authentic Voice Project
10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
Spotlight Webinar: Hidden Harm and Intersecting Experiences of Violence Against Women and Girls
Organised by: Improvement Service
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Online
Friday 4th December
Online misogyny, incel culture, pornography and their impacts on children and young people
Organised by Perth & Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership
9.30am – 12.00pm
Online
Monday 7th December
Gender-Based Violence: The Impact of AI Webinar
Organised by: East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership
10.00am – 11.00am
Online
Tuesday 8th December
Spotlight Webinar: Violence Against Women and Girls in Rural Areas
Organised by: Improvement Service
10:00am - 12:00pm
Online
Western Isles Professional and Community Engagement Event
Organised by: Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership
Dark Island Hotel, Liniclate, Isle of Benbecula, HS7 5PJ
9:15am - 1:00pm
East Ayrshire: Safe & Together Overview
Organised by: East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Partnership
2.00pm – 3.00pm
Contextual safeguarding - children living with parental abuse
Organised by Perth & Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership
2.00pm – 4.00pm
Online
Wednesday 9th December
Western Isles Professional and Community Engagement Event
Organised by: Western Isles Violence Against Women Partnership
Castlebay Hall, Isle of Barra, HS9 5UJ
9:15am - 1:00pm
Organised by Perth & Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership and Perthshire Women’s Aid
9.30am - 12.30pm
Online
- Helpline: 0800 027 1234 (24/7 helpline) Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
- Police Scotland: Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland
- Police Scotland: THAT GUY sexual crime prevention campaign
- White Ribbon Scotland: Take Action
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Improving outcomes for people and communities affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity: Joining the dots across key policy agendas (briefing)
There are a number of key policy agendas that are part of a broader ambition to improve outcomes for people and communities across Scotland affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity. This briefing highlights the links across these and explores opportunities for re-framing these multiple policy ambitions as opportunities to work together around the common goal of improving outcomes for people and communities.
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Improving outcomes for people and communities affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity: joining the dots across key policy agendas (infographic)
This infographic provides an overview of a small number of key national policy agendas, approaches and commitments, all designed to support a cross-policy, person-centred approach to improving outcomes for people and communities across Scotland affected by poverty, inequality, trauma and adversity.