Sexualized violence is much more widespread worldwide than is generally assumed. The vast majority of all women and non-binary people experience violence at least once in their lives. Mission 21, a global community of partner organizations and partner churches in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, is committed to gender justice and combating violence against women worldwide and is therefore participating in the 16-day campaign (25 November to 10 December) and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November).
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Gender-based violence takes many forms, ranging from trivialized to deadly acts of violence: Devaluation, harassment, psychological violence, rape or even feminicide (https://www.16tage.ch/fokusthema). Statistics are lacking in many places, but the figures that do exist are alarming: 42% of women in Bolivia have already experienced violence from their partner, in Peru the figure is 38% (WHO 2018).
Sexualized acts of violence are committed in all social classes, in the most diverse places and in the most diverse constellations: at home, in couple relationships, in families, at work, at school, in public spaces and on the Internet.
Mission 21 projects in the fight against sexualized violence
Overcoming sexualized violence is one of Mission 21's areas of impact: in 2023, our activities in this area reached 35,600 people (19,193 women, 12,160 men and 4247 people with diverse and undocumented gender identities).
Our partner organizations are active both in prevention work and in supporting victims of sexualized and domestic violence. For example, they run training courses on gender-based violence that specifically address men or offer courses and activities that strengthen women and empower them to exercise their rights.
Through these activities, the project participants should be made aware of forms of sexualized violence and informed about their rights, support and safe spaces. Taboos are to be broken, victim roles overcome and the cases addressed: those affected are to receive justice and overcome their trauma. In this way, Mission 21 aims to help reduce all forms of violence and contribute to a more peaceful society.
Mission 21 projects for gender equality
The commitment to combating violence against women and children is part of Mission 21's general commitment to gender equality. We strive for gender justice at all levels. This is achieved when all people can lead a life free from discrimination, regardless of their gender and sexual orientation.
Our partner organizations help to ensure that structural inequalities change in the long term and that structural violence is reduced. Together, we want to achieve Goal 5 of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development: Gender equality.
Currently, eleven Mission 21 projects in particular focus on strengthening gender equality. They include activities ranging from public campaigns to psychosocial and legal support. An overview of these projects can be found here:
Mission 21's educational work
Mission 21 offers courses and workshops on the topic of gender equality. In the new Education program 2025 for example, the courses "Equal rights for all*e" and "With courage against hate speech" can be booked. The Women and Gender Unit can be requested for advice or presentations.
"Ways out of violence" - campaign theme Switzerland 2024
In Switzerland, the campaign is coordinated by Friedathe feminist peace organization (formerly cfd). This year's theme is "Ways out of violence". This focus is intended to shed light on what it takes to prevent violence and support those affected by violence in leading a life free of violence. Individual support as well as the structural and collective assumption of responsibility will be emphasized. In order to prevent violence and adequately support those affected, social change, sufficient financial resources and an improvement in the legal situation are needed. As part of the 16 days of action, the participating organizations will provide information on aspects of the topic, expose myths, give tips on prevention and call for social change.
- Information on ways out of violence on the 16 Days Campaign website: https://www.16tage.ch/fokusthema
We asked our youth ambassadors why the 16 Days campaign is important to them and how they are campaigning for gender equality. Here are their answers:
Podcasts
Mission 21's youth network is launching "Young Voices - An Intercultural Podcast", a series in which young people from all over the world talk about their everyday lives and share their ideas, wishes and challenges.
On the subject of sexualized violence
In the episode of 16 August 2024, sociologist Raysa Diaz reports on her involvement with Flora Tristan, Mission 21's partner organization that works to combat sexualized violence in Peru.
On the subject of gender equality
The July 22 episode is dedicated to gender justice in Africa, Latin America and Europe.
International youth ambassadors talk about gender equality & women in society:
Mónica from Mexico talks about the sitaution of LGBTQIA* people in the church:
Cris from Costa Rica on gender justice and other topics:
The podcast "Voices of Hope" from Mission 21 Latin America features reports and stories from Mission 21's projects.
The October 10, 2024 episode focuses on the increasing persecution of human rights activists and the Casa DIE center in San José, Costa Rica, a refuge for activists who need to protect themselves from violence and threats.
Films on sexualized violence
Mission 21's partners in Latin America have produced documentary films with Animales de Monte about their work.
The movie "Strategic litigation against violence against women" provides an insight into the legal work of our partner organization Flora Tristán. This organization uses strategic litigation to protect victims of sexual violence. The short film portrays this work on the basis of a feminicide case and describes the problem of "disappeared" women and girls. A very important film that shows very well why the work for gender justice must be carried out on several levels and that we here in the North could also make a contribution.
In the movie "Women's rights in Peru" is about the work of the partner organization Flora Tristán in Peru, which takes the protest against violence against women to the streets.Â
The movie "The truth will come to light" with our partner organization Fundación Machaqa Amawta focuses on sexualized violence in Bolivia. Â
Pilot projects on food sovereignty and overcoming sexualized violence
In 2025, five partners are launching pilot projects that combine prevention of sexualized violence and food sovereignty in integrated approaches. To create a future in which people can live free from violence and hunger, violence and food insecurity must be tackled together. The Gender Justice Fund provides financial resources to programs and partner organizations for pilot projects. This enables them to react quickly to social developments that may reinforce gender inequality. The topic is redefined annually according to the needs of the programs and projects. (840.1005)
Structures
Mission 21 works with the strategy of the Gender mainstreamingAll Mission 21 programs and projects should contribute to strengthening gender equality. Organizationally, this is anchored in the Women and Gender Unit and with the Advisory Board on Gender Justice.
