Background

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. It was started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be coordinated each year by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

In support of this civil society initiative, under the leadership of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women initiative (UNiTE) calls for global action to increase awareness, galvanise advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations to end VAWG once and for all. Launched in 2008, UNiTE is a multi-year advocacy effort aimed at preventing and eliminating VAWG around the world. UNiTE calls on governments, development actors, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire UN system to join forces in addressing violence against women and girls.

This year's 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence global theme is "UNITE! Investing in the prevention of violence against women and girls” and national theme is “लैङ्गिक हिंसा अन्त्यको सुनिश्चितता: महिला र बालबालिकामा लगानीको ऐक्यबद्द्ता” on the importance of financing different prevention strategies to stop violence from occurring in the first place. The campaign will leverage key global normative and advocacy platforms to build momentum and galvanize collective efforts to prevent violence against women. Importantly, this year's campaign theme is closely aligned with the 2024 priority theme of the Commission on the Status of Women, which focuses on accelerating progress in achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls by addressing poverty, strengthening institutions, and integrating a gender perspective into financing. The campaign will further activate and amplify commitments to prevent violence against women through initiatives like the Generation Equality Forum and the Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as well as the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights (EJR). It will serve as a catalyst for global advocacy across various forums, including the Generation Equality midpoint moment and the SDG midpoint summit.

Every year UNDP Nepal organizes several events and programmes to mark 16 Days of Activism calls upon all UNITE networks, civil society and women’s rights organizations, organizations working with men and boys, the UN system, the Generation Equality Action Coalitions government partners, human rights defenders, schools, universities, private sector, sports clubs and associations and individuals to step up and support different prevention strategies to stop violence from occurring in the first place.

Objectives

This year UNDP Nepal in collaboration with Armed Police Family Women's Association (APFWA) will organize Open Art Competition on Friday, 8 December 2023 at Armed Police Force Ground, Halchowk from 10:00 hrs – 13:00 hrs (tentatively), under the theme, is "UNITE! Investing in the prevention of violence against women and girls” and national theme is “लैङ्गिक हिंसा अन्त्यको सुनिश्चितता: महिला र बालबालिकामा लगानीको ऐक्यबद्द्ता.”

Open Art Competition

The interested participants will need to register online for the Art Competition. The deadline for the registration is Sunday, 26 November 2023.  

Registration Link

Prizes and Certificates

All the participants will receive the certificate of appreciation.

The top 10 artworks will be awarded a prize and certificate, along with the opportunity to be featured in UNDP's knowledge product.

Terms & Conditions

• There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
• The participants should arrive at the Armed Police Force Ground, Halchowk by 9:30 hrs and the art competition is scheduled to commence at 10:00 hrs and conclude at 13:00 hrs.
•  The participants are requested to bring their art materials such as paint, pencil colors, watercolor, crayons, brushes etc. etc. Please note the organizer will provide art paper (A3 (420 × 297 mm).
• The top 10 artworks will be selected by an independent judge, UNDP and APFWA representative. 
• The participants should arrange their transportation on their own.
• The participants or guardian (for the participants under 18 years) must provide their consent to take videos, photographs and distribute and promote the artwork through social media and other web platforms at the time of registration.