November 25, 2026 marks the first day of the United Nations 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (16 days)
16 Days is an annual international campaign, occurring from November 25 to December 10 every year. It was established in 1991 as part of the effort to end violence against women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities
The UN is also highlighting that women in rural and remote communities face an even more challenging path to justice. Our 2024 report Building Inclusive and Accessible Family Justice called for better supports for survivors navigating the family justice system in rural and remote BC, and highlighted the unique challenges smaller communities are facing right now.
In 2026, 16 days is calling for more safe ways to report violence, accessible and affordable support and services, and justice systems that respond effectively. This means holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring that institutions answer for failures that allow violence to continue with impunity.
The UN calls gender-based violence one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide.
The 2026 campaign highlights funding cuts that are reducing access to critical services and weakening the women’s rights organizations that help survivors navigate justice systems, obtain legal support, and rebuild their lives. Rise Women’s Legal Centre (Rise) has not been immune to funding cuts. Canada is experiencing a 20-year low in charitable gifts, and in 2025 we were forced to launch a campaign to Protect Safety to try to prevent the end of Department of Justice Canada funding for legal services for survivors.
How to support 16 Days in British Columbia
Rise’s 2026 fundraising campaign, Weathering the Storm, is requesting donations to help support our work, providing access to family law to survivors across BC.
For survivors of family violence, leaving is just the beginning. Navigating the family law storm can be overwhelming, expensive, long, dangerous, and can feel impossible. Rise Women’s Legal Centre provides vital family law services that help ensure women and gender diverse people don’t have to face the family law storm alone.
Rise is experiencing a drastic increase in demand for our services.
So far in 2026, we have seen a 46% increase in requests for services, and we need more support to meet this demand. A donation to Rise this winter means we can be there when it matters the most.
For these 16 days, consider giving a gift to support Rise’s work
What your gift can do:
Rise Women’s Legal Centre is a registered charity. #76336 8099 RR0001
A tax receipt will be issued for every donation in any amount.