16 Days of Activism 2026
November, 2026
The 2026 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from November 25 to December 10, 2026. The official UNiTE campaign theme is “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls: Ensure justice, protect survivors, end impunity”, focusing on removing legal, social, and digital barriers to justice.
The CFUW Ontario Council Advocacy Brief urging our provincial government to Declare the Epidemic: Ending Intimate Partner Violence in Ontario is posted on our website, along with further information on this important topic.
Links to the recording and notes from our October 24thSpeaker Series, Leading Change Through Legislation, with a focus on how our voices can be effectively amplified to focus on issues such as Intimate Partner Violence, can be found on the OC website as well.
Key dates
November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
This day raises global awareness of GBV. It was designated in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly. The date of November 25 commemorates the lives of the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic who were violently assassinated in 1960.
December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
In Canada, this day honours the 14 women killed in the Polytechnique Montréal massacre on December 6, 1989, and calls for action against GBV.
December 10: Human Rights Day
This day marks the anniversary of the United Nations adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. This document affirms the rights and dignity of all people and is a milestone in the history of human rights. It has been translated in over 500 languages, holding the Guinness World Record as the most translated document.
Looking for how your club can take action? Check out CFUW National's toolkit, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
by Kathy Wosnick, Advocacy Chair