WILPF and 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence 2011

November 25 - December 10, 2011

In 20111, WILPF's involvement in 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence included all regions and organized activities to promote the main theme, "Blow the Whistle to Redefine Security."

Methods of activism were just as varied as the participating countries. The section in Pakistan coordinated sessions educating on violence against women at Rawalpindi jail and at a women's IDP camp. Women in Australia, Columbia and the US marched and demonstrated against gender-based human rights abuses, while WILPF Costa Rica performed an interactive play to raise awareness. International WILPF in Geneva hosted a two-day legal expert meeting on developing legal mechanisms to promote peace and security, and a number of sections screened the award-winning film "The Whistleblower," which features WILPF Secretary-General Madeleine Rees in her former position as head of the UN High Commissioner's office in Bosnia. Seminars, conferences and practical workshops all explored ways to effectively disseminate information promoting gender-equality and human rights.