From 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence beckons us to pause, reflect, and act. These days are not merely symbolic; they are an urgent summons to confront one of the deepest wounds of our shared humanity—the systemic violence endured by women and girls across the globe.
This year, under the banner of “Every 11 Minutes, a Woman is Killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence Against Women,” we face a stark and harrowing truth. One in three women will experience violence in her lifetime. In 2023, approximately 51,100 women and girls were killed globally by intimate partners or family members. This equates to around 140 women killed every day by someone close to them, reaffirming that the home remains one of the most dangerous places for women—a reality that underscores the relentless cost of silence, indifference, and systemic failure.
This violence is not abstract; it is deeply personal, touching our communities, homes, and even the sacred spaces where justice and dignity should reign. Those who courageously stand as defenders—activists, journalists, advocates—bear not only the weight of their calling but also the threats that seek to silence them.
A Call Beyond Slogans
The #NoExcuse campaign demands more than our awareness; it demands our transformation. It calls each of us to confront the cultural, systemic, and individual excuses that perpetuate violence. It challenges governments to legislate with conviction, communities to foster safety, and institutions to centre survivors in their responses.
Yet, this transformation begins within. The OLA mission has long been one of accompaniment—standing with those at the margins, especially women and children, who suffer under structures of oppression. It is a call to heal wounds, restore dignity, and seek justice, not just in words but in deeds that ripple outward.
Activism as a Sacred Act
Activism is not the work of the few; it is the sacred responsibility of all who dream of a just world. In small and great acts—whether wearing orange, amplifying survivor voices, or challenging harmful norms—we declare our refusal to accept violence as inevitable. These are the threads of hope and action that bind us together as co-creators of a future free from violence.
To engage in activism is to enter into solidarity, to stand as witness and participant in the unrelenting pursuit of justice. It is to affirm that every woman and girl is worthy of a life lived in safety, dignity, and peace.
Extend the Circle
The work does not end with the conclusion of these 16 days. It is an ongoing call to build awareness, foster connections, and inspire action. On our Facebook and Instagram pages, we will share statistics, key facts, and practical information about gender-based violence. These updates aim to deepen understanding and encourage meaningful steps towards change. By engaging with and sharing these posts, you can amplify this critical message. Spreading this information within your networks helps extend its reach, shedding light on places where silence still prevails and making the campaign’s impact ripple further.
As a community grounded in faith and committed to action, we reflect the Gospel’s call to justice through our choices and voices. Each conversation started, each perspective shared, and each piece of information circulated carries weight. In this collective effort of advocacy and care, we affirm the hope that a future free from violence is not only possible but within reach.