16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is a global annual campaign that brings attention to gender violence and highlights the work of activists all over the world. Every year, each day from November 25th to December 10th, Nobel Women's Initiative highlights 16 grassroots women activists and peacebuilders working for peace, justice and equality. Subscribe to have the spotlights sent right to your inbox!
Palestinian Manal Shqair says her activist journey began at birth when her father refused to name her because she was a girl.
“He was shocked,” she said. “He wasn’t expecting to have a girl. He was expecting to have a boy. He even put the blame on my mom that there’s something wrong with her body ...read more
READ MORE
At first, Ounaysa Arabi joined street demonstrations to protest the latest military coup in Sudan. She soon lost interest. Hope in the change that most matters to her quickly ebbed away.
She heard demonstrators trying to degrade military and police by calling them “chicks” and felt furious. ...read more
READ MORE
Women were at the forefront of popular uprisings that ousted the 30-year regime of Omar al-Bashir in Sudan in 2019, so you might expect that they could openly assert their rights, says Ilaf Nasreldin.
On the contrary, she says women’s rights activists in Sudan face social stigma — sometimes ...read more
READ MORE
In 2014, Musu Kamara stood for election as president of her high school student council. What happened on the eve of the vote would shape her path in life.
That day, the high school principal cancelled the election, announced a new one would be held and asked that only boys apply as ...read more
READ MORE
At first, Dildar Kaya found her work very difficult. “You get very lonely very fast,” she said.
She had found a place where she could put her knowledge, skills and passion for minority rights, women’s rights, and mental health services to good use.
Enthusiastic about advancing sustainable ...read more
READ MORE
Firm words of compassion define Amy Lira’s activism for survivors of sexual violence. “We believe you. It’s not your fault. You are not alone.”
Those three phrases address hard hurdles that survivors frequently face. They may be doubted, blamed, and dismissed, not only by police and other ...read more
READ MORE
Some of the sweetest words to Norwu Kolu Harris are when she hears people mention her name and what she does and they say, “don’t mess with Norwu, she’s a feminist.”
It’s a reward for her mission to make people realize that all girls and women deserve dignity and respect, that their human rights ...read more
READ MORE
Despair, says Nicole Musimbi, is a weapon used to keep people mired in conflict.
That’s why she is determined to inspire hope among other young people in her work in a conflict zone where death and danger are constant threats.
Nicole is president of the Young Women Leaders for ...read more
READ MORE