PsySSA Psychology in Public Service Division (PiPS)
16 Days Of Activism: UNITE to End digital Violence Against All Women and Girls
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs from 25th November to 10th December. It is a global call to action to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and children. Although the campaign is observed for 16 days, its success rests on our daily and individual actions to safeguard our society against this cycle of abuse.
The 2025 global campaign, led by UN Women under its’ UNiTE initiative, is themed “UNITE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” In the digital sphere, online harassment, abuse, stalking, non-consensual sharing of images or personal data, hate speech and other forms of technology-facilitated violence need to be eradicated in order to advance gender equality and human rights.
Technology must become a force for equality and not harm. The campaign calls on governments, private sector platforms, civil society and individuals to act to improve policies and laws; to design safer technologies; to equip women and girls with digital literacy and safety tools; to shift social norms and to hold perpetrators and platforms accountable.
In the South African and global context, the campaign reinforces that gender-based violence is never acceptable. By extending the reach of activism into the digital sphere, the 2025 campaign acknowledges the evolving ways in which violence and harassment manifest, especially as our lives, workplaces, learning, socialising and relationships move online. Gender-based violence does not occur in isolation. It is shaped by unequal power dynamics, harmful gender norms, historical and intergenerational trauma, socio-economic inequalities and attitudes that normalise violence.
Across its 16 days, the campaign provides an opportunity to create awareness, generate policy momentum, amplify survivors’ voices, share resources, shift culture, and foster solidarity. The campaign underscores women’s and girls’ digital safety as a fundamental part of their human rights, their freedom of expression, access to economic and social life and their dignity and bodily autonomy.
Every person has a role in ending GBVF. This collective vision can only be realised when every sector plays its part: Government must strengthen policy implementation, resource frontline services and ensure accountability across the justice and security systems and health services must provide trauma-informed and compassionate care. Intersectoral collaboration between social development, education, policing, health, civil society and community leaders is essential to creating a coordinated, survivor-centred response. When institutions work together and communities remain actively engaged, South Africa takes meaningful steps toward a society grounded in safety, dignity, healing and justice for all women and children.
Resources
https://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/16-days-of-activism
ChatGPT used for generative AI purposes & all Instagram squares were generated by ChatGPT
