16 days of activism to end violence against women The 16 Days of Activism campaign is an annual call for action to End Violence Against Women. In February 2000, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. We have made some progress since then, but sadly we still have a long way to go. Around 30% of women over 15 worldwide will experience some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime. One in four girls will face violence before they reach their mid-twenties. And those rates are even higher in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. During crises, the threat to women and girls only intensifies. Nearly a fifth of all refugee and displaced women in conflict settings experience sexual violence. WHO is committed to strengthening the health sector response to such violence. We need to prioritize survivor-centred care across all emergency operations. We need to prioritize the safety, dignity and health of women and girls. And we need strong partnerships across sectors to address the root causes of violence against women and girls. Let us all work together to support survivors and build a world where every woman and girl can live free from violence Together, we can make this vision a reality.