16 Days of Action 2021 – Support the Women's Aid Campaign

The 16 Days of Action Campaign is an important opportunity to raise awareness and call for changes at an international, national and local level to end violence against women and girls.

The campaign runs from 25 November (UN Day For the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10 December 2021 

2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days Campaign. Inspired by the original vision and history of the Campaign, which focused on raising awareness about violence against women (VAW), Women’s Aid will organise a series of webinar, produce information resources and carry out public awareness campaigns on intimate relationship abuse among young people (aged 18-25), domestic violence during pregnancy and Femicide. 

Women’s Aid 16 Days of Action Campaign

1. Online Events

Webinar 1: Women’s Aid UN Day Opposing Violence against Women Webinar - Too Into You: Attitudes to and Understanding of Intimate Relationship Abuse Amongst Young People.

11am, 25 November 2021

At our event to launch the International 16 Days campaign, we will share new Women’s Aid research on bystander intervention in intimate relationship abuse amongst young people (aged 18-25) in Ireland. This seminar will also examine young people’s attitudes to and understanding of intervening in intimate relationship abuse amongst their peers, and launch a new Too Into You public awareness campaign.  Speakers include: Helen McEntee, T.D., Minister for Justice, Sarah Benson, Chief Executive, Women’s Aid, Jackson Katz, Co-Founder, Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), Ngozi Fulani, CEO, Sistah Space, Juliana Shiel, Survivor of intimate relationship abuse and Too Into You advocate and Suzanne Jacob OBE, Chief Executive of Safe Lives UK.  Sarah McInerney, journalist and broadcaster will chair the event.

Register online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LR5Qs98wRhaV2YVuj_aBnA  ISL interpretation available.

Webinar 2: Pregnancy and Domestic Abuse - Prevalence, Impacts & Responses

10am, 30 November 2021:

Speakers include: Sarah Benson, CEO of Women's Aid, will chair the event and present on the new Maternity Project with four of Ireland's leading maternity hospitals.  Dr. Lorna Jane O'Doherty, Associate Professor Institute for Health and Wellbeing Coventry University. Dr O'Doherty will present on Global perspectives on prevalence, impacts and intervention for domestic abuse during pregnancy.  Siobán ‘O Brien Green, PhD has worked in government agencies and the non-profit, research and academic sectors for over 20 years. Her presentation will be on 'Pregnancy & Domestic Violence: findings from recent Irish research'.  Gillian Dennehy, Maternity Project Co-ordinator, Women's Aid, will outline the Pregnancy and Domestic Violence public awareness campaign taking place during the International 16 Days of Action. 

Register online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_prTyzqpORQy8U-XbjceOkQ ISL will be provided

2. Awareness Campaigns

Too Into You Public Awareness Campaign 25 November to 10 December 2021

As part of our Too Into You project which supports young people aged 18-25 experiencing intimate relationship abuse we will be launching a social media awareness campaign on the 25th of November. From our research we know that young people want to be able to help if they are worried a friend might be experiencing abuse in an intimate relationship but often they don’t know what to do or say. The campaign will focus on guidance and supportive tools to help young people spot the signs of intimate relationship abuse and will provide information on how to talk to a friend you are worried about and the supports available at TooIntoYou.ie.  You can support the campaign by requesting a free partner pack and by sharing the campaign on social media from the 25th of November using the hashtag #YesItsAbuse 

General Public Awareness:

Request a copy of the most recent Femicide factsheet, promotional materials for the Women’s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 and the 16 Facts for 16 Days Infographic.  

3. How to get involved:

1. Share the resources

Please email carmen@womensaid.ie and indicate which packs you would like. 

1. Too Into You Digital Campaign Pack
2. Too Into You Campaign Pack by Post
3. General Awareness Digital Campaign Pack
4. General Awareness Campaign Pack by post.

2. Support the Women’s Aid campaign on social media.

Follow us Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and LinkedIn using the hashtag #16Days #YesItsAbuse

Read more on the International 16 Days of Action campaign.  Visit https://www.womensaid.ie/about/campaigns/16days.html and https://16dayscampaign.org/