16 Days of Activism 2025
16 Days of Activism is an international initiative established by the United Nations to raise awareness and encourage communities to take action to end gender-based violence.
16 Days of Activism runs from 25 November to 10 December.
25 November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 10 December is International Human Rights Day.
During the 16 days, people around the world unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes, and call for improved laws and services to end gender-based violence for good.
We all deserve to be safe, equal and respected.
The theme for 2025 is "A violence free Victoria. It all starts with respect".
Contribute to a community banner - Together we say yes to respect!
Let's create a powerful message by making a community banner we can use to raise awareness about the importance of respect in preventing gender-based violence. Come along to a session and contribute to the banner for 16 Days of Activism. Original banner artwork is produced by local artist, Judy Laycock.
- 11 November - Castlemaine Community Lunch, Town Hall
- 18 November - Castlemaine Community Lunch, Town Hall
- 26 November - Respect starts at the table event, Campbells Creek Community Centre
- Other session dates to be confirmed
Community Walk Against Violence - 10.00am, Wednesday 10 December
Join us on 10 December, at the Botanical Gardens to come together as a community to walk against family violence, and to create a safe, equal and respected place to live, work and play. People of all genders welcome, bring your friends, family, workmates. Bring your banners or walk with our community banner. Let's walk together and take action to prevent gender-based violence in our community. More details to come.
Respect starts at the table project - 10.00am - 1.00pm, Wednesday 26 November
Come along to a community gathering at Campbells Creek Community Centre, bring some baked biscuits to share (and a biscuit tin to take home shared goods), bring your favourite recipe and share what respect means to you. Join a crochet or knitting circle, cook along with the Chewton CWA, contribute to the community banner "Together we say yes to respect!" which will be used on the community walk. Conversations about respect and your recipes will be captured and shared in a community cookbook. Be part of an inspiring community project where women's voices and contributions are valued, and respect, resilience and connection is celebrated. More details to come.
Crochet Flower Project
The Crochet Flower Project is a shire-wide craft project where community members can crochet, wear and share orange flowers during 16 Days of Activism.
The project aims to raise awareness of gender-based violence, and remove stigma by encouraging conversations about respect, gender equality and the drivers of violence against women.
How to get involved
- Crochet orange flowers which you can wear as a brooch, gift to family and friends, and drop-off at the collection points for others to enjoy.
- Wear and share your orange crochet flowers during 16 Days of Activism (25 November to 10 December).
Download a crochet flower pattern(PDF, 306KB) or watch a How to crochet a flower video tutorial.
Support and resources
Information and resources on gender-based violence will also be available in the foyer of the Castlemaine Library throughout 16 Days of Activism.
If you need help or would like to speak with someone about concerns of violence in your life, there a number of resources are available:
Call 000 if you are in immediate danger, for police and ambulance.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing family violence, help is available:
Learn more at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Support.
More information
For more information about events and activities this year please contact Melissa Fowler, Council's Community Projects Officer, at m.fowler@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or download the 16 Days of Activism(PDF, 1MB) poster.
For more information about 16 Days of Activism, or for ideas and resources on how to get involved please visit Safe and Equal or Respect Victoria.
16 Days of Activism is an initiative that Council has supported since 2018. Through involvement with Respect Victoria’s 'Respect: Call it Out' campaign, community and staff events have been delivered to raise awareness of gender-based violence and the link to gender equality.
Events
A number of community events will be running to support 16 Days of Activism including a vigil, a local light installation, an information and resources hub at the Castlemaine Library, and more.
Keep an eye on www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Events.