[Brussels, 10 December 2018] From the 25th of November, the International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to today 10th of December, International Human Rights Day, the European Women’s Lobby and our members got mobilised across Europe calling to end violence against women and girls. Find below several examples of our actions and events during the 16 days of activism to end violence against women and girls.
Belgium
In Belgium, in the context of the Orange the World campaign, together with UN Women and our members, offered an orange costume to the Brussels famous Manneken-Pis, created by Belgian fashion designer Gioia Seghers.
Manneke Pis in Orange
Ireland
The Irish Observatory on Violence Against Women, chaired by EWL Irish members NWCI, organised a seminar as part of the 16 days of action opposing violence against women. The event focused on how we can develop a strong community response to monitor Ireland’s compliance with the Istanbul Convention and ensure it works for women.
Irish Observatory on VAW
Portugal
The Portuguese Platform for women’s rights published a press release on the 25 November to alert on the fact violence against women and girls continues to be invisible and banalised while perpetrators remain impune. They call for a policy and legislative framework that moves beyond domestic violence to address male violence against women and a strategy to protect survivors. (read their press release here). Furthermore, the Portuguese Platform for Women’s Rights (PPdM) took part in the march in Lisbon calling for an end to violence against women and girls.
Portuguese Platfom protesting
Among the different initiatives held during the 16 days of activism, the PPdM launched the Shadow Report on the implementation in Portugal of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Furthermore, the PPdM launched exitprostitution.org: awebsite with multiple resources calling to the end of the system of prostitution.
Spain
Our members in Spain, together with the LEM Spain in Catalonia, paid tribute to the women and girls who have died this year due to violence against women. The names of the victimes were read, to remember them and demand for action to end the continuum of violence once and for all.
Members in Spain on the International Day Against VAW
Turkey
In Turkey women were planning to hold a march against male violence and femicides along İstiklal Avenue in Taksim, Istanbul on November 25. However, the march was prevented by the police. In other words, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, women faced police violence. The police used tear gas on women and tried to drag women from Tünel Square with their shields. The women’s rights activists resisted and did not take a step back.’
From Brussels and across Europe we keep on supporting the women in Turkey and all over Europe!
Turkey 25 November protests from bianet org
#StopViolenceAgainstWomenNOW #LoudUnited #16Days #EndVAW #HearMeToo
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womenlobby.org
1 November 2025
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