The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a powerful global campaign that mobilizes individuals and organizations around the world to address and end violence against women and girls. Starting on November 25—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—and culminating on December 10—Human Rights Day—this annual campaign highlights the urgent need for sustained action to protect women’s rights and ensure their safety.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, affecting one in three women in their lifetime. Gender-based violence (GBV) has profound public health impacts, resulting in a wide range of physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health issues. Beyond the direct health impacts, VAWG contributes to economic inequality and hinders social development, reinforcing cycles of poverty, exclusion, and injustice. The UNITE to End Violence Against Women initiative, led by UN Women, calls for a coordinated global response and systemic change to eliminate all forms of violence against women.
This Research Topic aims to examine the public health dimensions of violence against women and the role of global advocacy campaigns, such as the 16 Days of Activism, in driving policy reform, raising awareness, and fostering community-level interventions. The topic will explore how public health professionals, policymakers, activists, and communities can collaborate to implement comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to VAWG, and to promote gender equality.
We welcome contributions that focus on:
- The effectiveness of the 16 Days of Activism and similar global campaigns in influencing policy, raising public awareness, and reducing violence against women.
- Public health interventions designed to prevent and address the health consequences of VAWG, including physical, mental, and reproductive health impacts.
- The intersection of GBV and public health inequities, particularly in marginalized communities and regions affected by conflict, displacement, or environmental crises.
- Case studies and evaluations of community-based programs, governmental policies, and international collaborations aimed at eliminating violence against women.
- Innovative approaches to addressing the root causes of violence, including gender norms, economic dependency, and the social determinants of health.
- The role of technology and media in amplifying activism, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable.
- Cross-sectoral approaches to ending VAWG, including the integration of legal, healthcare, educational, and social services responses.
- Studies examining how environmental disasters, resource scarcity, and climate-induced migration impact gender-based violence and exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially in conflict-affected regions.
By showcasing diverse public health approaches and solutions to addressing VAWG, this Research Topic seeks to provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge-sharing. It aims to inspire new research, advocacy, and action that contributes to the goals of UN Women’s UNITE campaign and the broader movement to achieve gender equality and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide.
Contributions may include original research, reviews, policy analyses, case studies, and commentaries on the public health responses to violence against women, framed within the 16 Days of Activism campaign and related global efforts.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a powerful global campaign that mobilizes individuals and organizations around the world to address and end violence against women and girls. Starting on November 25—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women—and culminating on December 10—Human Rights Day—this annual campaign highlights the urgent need for sustained action to protect women’s rights and ensure their safety.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, affecting one in three women in their lifetime. Gender-based violence (GBV) has profound public health impacts, resulting in a wide range of physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health issues. Beyond the direct health impacts, VAWG contributes to economic inequality and hinders social development, reinforcing cycles of poverty, exclusion, and injustice. The UNITE to End Violence Against Women initiative, led by UN Women, calls for a coordinated global response and systemic change to eliminate all forms of violence against women.
This Research Topic aims to examine the public health dimensions of violence against women and the role of global advocacy campaigns, such as the 16 Days of Activism, in driving policy reform, raising awareness, and fostering community-level interventions. The topic will explore how public health professionals, policymakers, activists, and communities can collaborate to implement comprehensive strategies to prevent and respond to VAWG, and to promote gender equality.
We welcome contributions that focus on:
- The effectiveness of the 16 Days of Activism and similar global campaigns in influencing policy, raising public awareness, and reducing violence against women.
- Public health interventions designed to prevent and address the health consequences of VAWG, including physical, mental, and reproductive health impacts.
- The intersection of GBV and public health inequities, particularly in marginalized communities and regions affected by conflict, displacement, or environmental crises.
- Case studies and evaluations of community-based programs, governmental policies, and international collaborations aimed at eliminating violence against women.
- Innovative approaches to addressing the root causes of violence, including gender norms, economic dependency, and the social determinants of health.
- The role of technology and media in amplifying activism, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable.
- Cross-sectoral approaches to ending VAWG, including the integration of legal, healthcare, educational, and social services responses.
- Studies examining how environmental disasters, resource scarcity, and climate-induced migration impact gender-based violence and exacerbate vulnerabilities, especially in conflict-affected regions.
By showcasing diverse public health approaches and solutions to addressing VAWG, this Research Topic seeks to provide a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge-sharing. It aims to inspire new research, advocacy, and action that contributes to the goals of UN Women’s UNITE campaign and the broader movement to achieve gender equality and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide.
Contributions may include original research, reviews, policy analyses, case studies, and commentaries on the public health responses to violence against women, framed within the 16 Days of Activism campaign and related global efforts.