So, you’ve heard about the 16 Days of Activism, but what’s it really all about? Why 16 days? And why all the orange? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!

The campaign started in 1991 thanks to the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University in the USA. The idea? To shine a global spotlight on violence against women and girls and get everyone—from governments to communities—moving toward change.

Why 16 days?
It kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day. Sixteen days of activism, awareness, education, and bold action.

Why it matters:

• Awareness: It tells the world, “Hey, GBV is real, and it’s urgent!”
• Advocacy: Pushes leaders to make laws and policies that actually protect women.
• Voices Amplified: Survivors, activists, and champions get their stories heard.
• Global Solidarity: Connects communities and organizations across the world—because ending GBV is a team sport.
• Education & Prevention: Helps people learn, unlearn harmful behaviors, and take action safely.

At WLEDE, we take this campaign a step further with our Digital Orange Wave—16 days of vibrant online activism, storytelling, youth engagement, male champion messages, and resources to keep women and girls safe all year round.

So, join the movement. Share the posts. Stand up, speak out, and surf the Digital Orange Wave with us!

#WLEDEAgainstGBV | #DigitalOrangeWave | #InvestToPrevent