The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID’s "Voices of Empowerment for a Future Without Gender-Based Violence” has been launched as its contribution to this year’s worldwide 16 Days of Activism campaign. Spearheading KAICIID’s campaign are two flagship webinars in the KAICIID “Women’s Voices” webinar series, “Women’s Voices for a Future without Violence” and “Women’s Voices: Spotlighting Cross-Regional Interreligious Practices towards the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls”.

UNITE by 2030 to End Violence Against Women

Since its inception in 1991, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a worldwide campaign that has provided a platform for individuals, organizations, and governments to raise awareness and advocate for the elimination of violence against women and girls. Focusing on a specific theme each year, the campaign runs during the 16 days between significant international observances, starting on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and concluding on 10 December, Human Rights Day. In 2008, the United Nations Secretary-General bolstered the 16 Days of Activism by launching the “UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women” campaign, also known by its “Orange the World” slogan. Orange the World, symbolising a brighter future free from violence, has become synonymous and used interchangeably with the annual UNiTE campaign.

For me a future without violence is where women and men, boys and girls live free from any form of violence, but also where they have access to resources, where they participate in societal affairs, where they have value, equal value, equal status. Jackie Ogega, Co-Founder and President of Mpanzi Empowering Women and Girls, Kenya, “Women’s Voices for a Future without Violence” November 2022

#UNiTE: KAICIID’s “Voices of Empowerment for a Future Without Gender-Based Violence” campaign

This year, the worldwide campaign draws attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women under the theme, “Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women”. The campaign aligns with the broader framework of action to mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

In this context, KAICIID is harnessing the power of interreligious dialogue to inspire collective action for a future without violence through storytelling and sharing examples of best practices in the field. Enabling inclusive dialogue has been fundamental to the Centre’s mandate and amplifying the voices of women and youth is systematically being streamlined into all its programmatic work, as women empowerment and SDG 5 are KAICIID’s cross-cutting priorities.  

One of the Centre’s critical contributions to SDG 5 is its emphasis on the role of interfaith leaders and communities in promoting gender equality. Beginning in 2022, the Centre's Women’s Voices webinar series brings together influential leaders from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds to reflect on how religion, faith-based initiatives and civil society can address obstacles to progressing women’s empowerment and gender equality. These webinars amplify voices and showcase best practices and solutions.

I think it's only right that the UN has declared November 25th as the International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. At KAICIID, we are honored to be part of this global campaign. We join others to say 'Unite' – that this violence against women and girls can be prevented, but it will require all of us to come together. Dr. Kezevino Aram, President of Shanti Ashram, former KAICIID Board Member, “Women’s Voices for a Future without Violence” November 2022

The Centre launched its “Voices of Empowerment for a Future Without Gender-Based Violence” campaign with a powerful organizational video highlighting KAICIID's commitment to building capacities and fostering IRD and ICD for championing women's rights and roles and inclusive policies that create safe spaces for all. Throughout the 16 days, KAICIID will be releasing selected clips from the two flagship webinars, together with a set of recommendations to be published at the end of the campaign marking the Human Rights Day.

The recommendations arise out of two interlinked online events on “Turning the Tide on Women’s Inequality: Transforming Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Solutions for All” under the umbrella of the Women’s Voices webinar series. The participants of the collaborative online events put forward recommendations that highlight clear steps towards redressing dynamics that hinder progress on women’s empowerment by mobilisng the necessary resources to implement SDG 5. The “Women’s Voices” webinar and High-Level Online Meeting (HLOM) were coordinated with the support of International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) and its dedicated Workstream on Gender Equality and Empowerment. Guided by the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and the outcomes and priorities of the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), the recommendations reinforce the path towards accelerating gender equality and women’s empowerment.  

We try as much as possible to tell religious leaders to give women opportunities to be at the table of discussion. Women are not anywhere close so we are pushing to make sure women are part of the system, because as religious leaders we should be a mirror to the society. Involving women and making women part of decisions, taking leadership we will be able to have the moral justification to tell the government to do the same thing. KAICIID Fellow, Uzoaku Juliana Williams, Minister Presbyterian Church, Nigeria, “Women’s Voices: Spotlighting Cross-Regional Interreligious Practices towards the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls” December 2023

KAICIID’s Strategic Alignment with the SDGs

KAICIID has positioned itself as a transformative actor in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue as tools for solving global challenges. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and key international conventions and resolutions, all founded on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Centre aims to contribute significantly to their implementation.

According to KAICIID’s Strategic Plan 2024–2027, SDG 5 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, which envisions that “every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality”, will be supported through encouraging and promoting the participation of both women and men in peacebuilding, conflict prevention initiatives, policy work, and support towards ending discrimination and violence against women and girls. Inspired by the Pact for the Future,  KAICIID integrates the principle of “Leave No One Behind”, in all its programmes. Through the engagement of women and girls across its work, the Centre aims to contribute to building peaceful, just and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

We need to continue fighting for equal roles between different genders. The gender should not just be the quota to fulfill, but to be there for different genders to be included in different spaces for a reason, to be a complete person, to have their own opinion and their own voice to be heard, and not just to be out there spoken. Anja Piskur, Programme Manager and Communications, Ground Truth Solutions, “Women’s Voices for a Future without Violence” November 2022

By bringing together religious leaders and faith-based organizations, KAICIID fosters a space where different belief systems can collaborate on strategies to prevent violence and empower women. KAICIID’s participation in the 16 Days of Activism reinforces its dedication to promoting SDG 5. It is a call to action for all – from religious leaders to community members – to join the movement and work together to achieve a world where women and girls can live without fear of violence. Through its innovative webinars, impactful publications, and social media engagement, the Centre continues to amplify the voices of women and faith leaders.

We invite you to #UNiTE with us and promote this vital message by sharing this campaign with your colleagues and local communities.