16 Days of Activism 2025
From November 25th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10th, Human Rights Day, the United Nations’ UNiTE Campaign: 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls everywhere. UNiTE calls on governments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, media, and the UN system to join forces to address the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. The United Nations has chosen the colour orange for this global campaign as a symbol of a brighter future for women around the world as we raise awareness and mobilize resources to bring an end to this fundamental human rights violation. In Canada, the colour purple is often used for the 16 Days of Activism because it is the nationally recognized colour of domestic violence awareness and prevention, symbolizing courage, survival, and a dedication to ending violence. GRAN groups across the country adopt either orange or purple as their primary colour, or use both in combination in their awareness-raising materials and activities.
The 2026 campaign theme is: “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls: Ensure justice, protect survivors, end impunity.” The campaign calls for justice that works for all women and girls – whether at home, at work, in public life, or across digital spaces. Building on the 2025 focus on digital violence, this year’s campaign recognizes that violence online and offline happens on a continuum, with the two often overlapping and reinforcing each other. They require commitment and action on prevention, protection, accountability, and redress.
See the resources bar to the right to learn more about this year’s theme and to help you plan Orange Campaign activities in your communities.
