16 days 2022: what next?

16 days of Activism against gender-based violence is an annual international campaign which calls for the end of violence against women and girls.

A worldwide campaign to end violence against women and girls will launch on 25 November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – as part of 16 Days of Activism.

The themes for 2022 are LightUp and What Next? and ask that we all look to see what positive steps we can take to eradicate violence against women and girls in all its forms. 16 Days runs until 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day.

It is an international campaign backed by the United Nations and organisations around the world with a call for the Prevention and Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). 16 Days gives us all an opportunity to come together to increase awareness of VAWG, promote a zero tolerance approach, and the rights of women and girls. Through the campaign we share knowledge and creative ways to achieve equality and respect for everyone, regardless of their gender.

1 in 3

In 2020-21, Police Scotland recorded 65,251 incidents of domestic abuse and figures from UN Women show that 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner with disabled women twice as likely to experience violence compared to non-disabled women. In total, Scottish Government figures show that violence against women and girls costs Scotland £4billion.

East Lothian and Midlothian’s Public Protection Committee has led on 16 days of Activism working with its partners including East Lothian Council, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, Midlothian Council, East and Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnerships, Police Scotland, Women’s Aid, Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, VCEL and Queen Margaret University. The Committee has organised an online launch event on Friday 25 November 1pm-3.30pm to focus on What Next? how we can engage men and boys to challenge negative stereotypes and create meaningful change.

What will you do?

There are a number of ways that you can get involved in 16 days of activism and commit to positive change in our area.

Get involved

There are a number of ways that you can get involved in 16 Days (and beyond) and help contribute to ending violence against women and girls:

Improve your understanding: find out more about the different types of domestic abuse including financial and coercive control
Attend a training event
Read the Safe and Together Institute’s Guide on how to be an ally for anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse. Knowing how to support someone – a friend, loved one or colleague – can make a huge difference to them during a difficult and isolating time
Make a pledge of the change that you will make
Sign the White Ribbon Pledge
Talk about how you can change our culture towards Violence Against Women and Children with your children, family, friends, group, colleagues
Hold an event – film, talk, exhibition, concert, dance
Create and share a song, poem, dance, theatre or piece of art
Light up a window in orange in solidarity and share an image with your networks
Light up your social media and on-line meeting background
Join our events, follow us on social media and share with your networks.

Look out for more information about 16 Days during the campaign window and help us to make Scotland Equally Safe for everyone.

Find out more about the support networks

Find out more about support networks in your area and the services that exist. In East and Midlothian this includes:

Women’s Aid East and Midlothian – domestic abuse support for women and children and young people
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre – Advocacy Service
FearFree Domestic Abuse Service for any man or LGBTQI+ person experiencing domestic abuse
Shakti Women’s Aid support for black and minority ethnic women
Families First Midlothian for men who have been abusive towards a partner or ex-partner and would like help – call 0131 285 9600 (Midlothian only)
No 11 Women’s Social Supper in Dalkeith – weekly free event for women to socialise, feel pampered and enjoy food and refreshments – FaceBook Group (Midlothian only)
Anam Cara support to empower women through developing life changing resilience skills

National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline – for anyone
National Respect Phoneline Choose to stop – help for domestic violence perpetrators