International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – launch of the ’16 Days’ campaign
25 11 2025
Today, on 25 November, the University of Warsaw is joining the international campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” – an annual initiative that runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) to International Human Rights Day (10 December).
Gender-based violence is a widespread violation of human rights. The most recent, widely cited, WHO data indicate that nearly one in three women worldwide experience physical violence, including sexual violence, in their lifetime – most often from a partner [1]. Taking into account all aspects of sexual harassment and digital violence, this percentage is even higher.
The 2025 campaign focuses specifically on digital violence – a phenomenon that is present in everyday communication, often going unnoticed, while leading to serious personal, professional and social harm. This year’s slogan, ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls‘, highlights how relevant the digital world is today and how easily it can become a space for abuse and violence.
Technology is changing the way we communicate and form relationships, but at the same time it provides new tools to control, harass and make content public without consent. Among the negative phenomena most often mentioned are online stalking, the unwanted sharing of intimate material (‘revenge porn’), the creation of deepfakes depicting people in intimate contexts, and mass hate campaigns and doxxing, the disclosure of private data.
These practices have real consequences: deterioration of mental health, risk of loss of employment, social isolation and, in extreme cases, escalation of violence in the real world. 85% of women have experienced or witnessed online violence against another woman, and 57% of women have experienced their photos or recordings being used in an unauthorised way [2].
With the aim of spreading awareness, the UW Equality Team will be running an information and education campaign over the next few days about the different aspects and manifestations of gender violence and the support tools and institutions, while reminding that violence is not only physical, but also psychological, sexual or economic.
We encourage the entire academic community to follow the campaign material and – above all – to respond when violence occurs. Change starts with being attentive to the other, talking and educating.
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We would like to remind you of reliable sources of information and places where you can find help:
Feminoteka Foundation supporting women experiencing violence, providing free legal, psychological and therapeutic assistance
Feminoteka Foundation women’s helpline 888 88 33 88 free, confidential and professional help offered by Feminoteka Foundation experts to women who have experienced violence
Women’s Rights Centre support for women whose rights are violated, in particular women experiencing violence, free psychological, legal and social assistance, civic and professional advice
Blue line number 800 120 002 free and confidential support of the Polish National Referral Service for Victims of Family Violence “Blue Line”.
Information on support institutions at the University of Warsaw can be found here.
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[2] https://www.unfpa.org/bodyright
Logo: 16 Days of Acvivism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, Autonomy Foundation