16 Days of Activism
December 8, 2023
The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a key international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls. It runs from 25th November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) until 10th December, Human Rights Day.
The 16 Days Campaign in Timor-Leste unfolded as a dynamic and impactful series of TV talk shows, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the "Together for Equality: Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Timor-Leste" program. This initiative includes other sister agencies such as UN Women, UNFPA, and IOM, who all aim to address the deeply rooted challenges of gender-based violence (GBV) in the country. The TV talk shows a central component of the awareness and advocacy campaign, served as a platform for in-depth discussions on the theme "Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls", engaging our partners from government and civil society to address GBV and reinforce their commitment to preventing it.
The first TV talk show, titled "Civil Society and Actors for Change," took the form of a round table discussion featuring participants from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as ALFeLA, JSMP, and MHVF, with moderation by Mana Rosa Cardoso from UNDP’s Access to Justice Project. The topics covered a wide spectrum, including the vital role of civil society in combating GBV, community engagement, grassroots initiatives, intersectionality in GBV, good practices, and collaborative approaches. The talk show highlighted the achievements and challenges faced by civil society organizations, emphasizing their contributions in promoting awareness, and change, and the importance of collaborative efforts.
Talk show 1: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=875323507458969
The second TV talk show, "Government and Investors of Peace," adopted a similar round table format, featuring representatives from SEI, MSSI, and PDHJ, moderated by JSMP’s Director, Ana Paula Marçal. This discussion delved into the government's commitment to gender equality, its legal framework and mechanisms for providing access to justice, investments in prevention strategies, coordination and collaboration with various stakeholders, and monitoring and accountability measures. The talk show emphasized the crucial role of government policies and initiatives in combating GBV, aligning with the overarching goal of the program to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
The participating NGOs and institutions played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse during the 16 Days of Activism talk shows. ALFeLA, JSMP, and MHVF represented civil society, contributing valuable insights into community-based efforts, intersectionality, and collaborative approaches. On the government side, SEI, MSSI, and PDHJ shed light on policies, legal frameworks, investments, and coordination efforts. The diverse range of participants, including legal experts, gender-based violence survivors, and community leaders, ensured a comprehensive and inclusive discussion.
Talk show 2: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=691921739701481
These TV talk shows not only highlighted the significance of investing in prevention strategies but also showcased successful stories and lessons learned in dealing with GBV. The interactive format allowed for live audience participation, fostering a dialogue between experts and viewers. The talk shows successfully aligned with the UNiTE campaign's advocacy goals for 2023, promoting global participation in preventing VAWG, urging budget allocations for prevention, and supporting women's rights organizations. Overall, the TV talk shows during the 16 Days of Activism in Timor-Leste contributed to a robust and impactful campaign against gender-based violence, reinforcing the commitment to building a society free from violence against women and girls.