16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence        November 25- December 10, 2010

This year marks the 20th 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, and with this important landmark, CWGL is considering new ways to utilize the campaign for trans formative change. Year after year, new partners join the 16 Days Campaign to bring local, national, and global attention to the various forms of violence that women face. The attention that gender-based violence has received in international forums is a testimony to the powerful actions of women’s rights activists around the world. Yet, despite this increased awareness, women continue to experience violations in alarming numbers and new forms of violence are emerging. We, as defenders of women’s human rights, have a responsibility to look more closely at the structures in place that permit gender-based violence to exist and persist. Therefore after much consultation with activists, organizations, and experts from around the world, this year’s international theme will be: “Structures of Violence: Defining the Intersections of Militarism and Violence Against Women.”  


New web site launched:  http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu

                                                                 PRESS RELEASE  2010
  The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates November 25- International Day Against Violence Against Women- and December 10- International Human Rights Day- in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. In 2010, 16 days campaign is going to be organized under the theme “Every women and girl has right to be free from danger”and focus into combating and preventing from rape crime in Mongolia.

60% of rape crime victims are minor girls in Mongolia. 39 girls in 2008, 71 girls in  2009 and 40 girls experienced in rape  in 2010  (Statistic from Criminal Police Department)  

Rape is non-consensual sexual contact. Rape occurs in any life circle of women and girls. The perpetrator often use his power and plans where and when to do it. There are many types of sexual abuse and assault:

  • Incest: Just as most sexual assault against adults is committed by someone the victim knows, nearly all sexual abuse of children is committed by someone the child knows and trusts. Many times, that person is a family member
  • Dating rape:Dating violence is when one person purposely causes physical or psychological harm to another person they are dating, including sexual assault, physical abuse, and psychological/emotional abuse
  •  Marital rape: A marriage license does not require someone to submit to sexual contact on demand. Everyone has the right to say “no” to any kind of sexual contact. Forced sexual contact w2ithin a marriage or relationship is not different than if forced by as stranger.
  • Stranger rape: Only 22% of perpetrators do not know their victims prior to the assault. However, stranger rapes are planned attacks. The perpetrator seeks out someone who may be in a vulnerable position. This is an act of power and control. Victims often experience a great deal of fear after the attack and may be afraid to return to the scene, even if it is at or near their own home. Survivors experience the same reactions to a stranger attack as to many other forms of sexual assault.
    Sexual abuse:
Sexual abuse is a crime of POWER violating human rights to liberty and security of person

Sexual abuse violates women and girls human rights to liberty, dignity, to be free from violence, right to educate, to secure, to be psychologically healthy, and to join into public events;

Sexual abuse seriously harms women and girls’ physical and reproductive health;

       “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person”

The Funding organizations:                                     

UNFPA is a sustainable funder for the 16 days campaign since last 5 years in Mongolia

The campaign implementing organizations:


National Committee on Gender Equality

Capital Police Department

National Center Against Violence

Mongolian Men’s Association

“Princess Center”

Mongolian Red Cross

Reproductive and Health Network