It is 2021. Like many other vital social issues that must have already been extinct, the shameful existence of violence against women, trans and non-binary people gives one shiver. Still, here we are, marking it with the hope of its elimination internationally.

25th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year’s campaign, generated by United Nations – UN, focuses on amplifying the call for global action to bridge funding gaps. It ensures essential services for survivors of violence during the COVID-19 crisis, focusing on prevention and collecting data to improve life-saving services for women and girls.

Its theme is Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!. It marks the launch of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative of 16 full days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates International Human Rights Day (10 December).

What is happening already?
Today, the “Sexism Free Night” Project has launched its European campaign BCRTEST – Bystander Chain Reaction Test, aiming to inspire action, encourage people without shaming or judging, and focus on fighting sexism with creativity and activism massive testing. 

Have you taken a test yet? You may do so and share the cleverly developed campaign materials with your words alongside the hashtags #FunZone4All #BCRtest and #sexismfreenight.

The Euroasian Harm Reduction Association: EHRA has accepted the challenge and started their 16 days of activism campaign “Expected and unexpected risks of the #narcofeminism movement in the EECA region”.

What movement..?
The narcofeminism movement was born from the question of how painful and frightening it is to be a woman who uses psychoactive substances in combination with the experience of lack of focus on women for humane drug policies.

It is the response to discrimination, rights violations and injustice by activists from all over Europe.
Check out the details here. 

Furthermore, the article “A World Beyond the War on Drugs” written by the Association for Women’sWomen’s Rights in Development (AWID) gives an excellent close look at the movement and its clear vision.

Also, the session: Girls power in HR2: womxn leadership to ensure access to Harm Reduction and Human Rights protection for womxn who use drugs with ReGeneration, EHRA, ENPUD and Metzineres, is highly insightful for you to exceed your knowledge on the topic and the current discussion on and around it.

Wonder how else you can show support in the name of solidarity, equality and humanity?
Why not download the campaign material and join the movement now 

Moreover, read the statement pencilled down by the European Commission, mentioning gender-based cyber violence, the Istanbul convention, the use of sexual violence as a weapon and domestic violence. All violent in their own unique, secretive ways and all worrisome.

Last but not least, start acting now.
Act every day, everywhere.