"Standing up for human rights: empowering people affected by violence, promoting self-determination"

Women and girls around the world are affected by gender inequality and sexualized, domestic or structural violence. The consequences are not only serious for the individuals affected, they also have an impact on education, the economy and political participation. Mission 21 supports partner organizations worldwide that empower those affected by violence to raise their voices and fight for their rights.

The 2026 campaign focuses on projects for the prevention of violence, acute care and self-determination in Peru, Bolivia and Indonesia.

Every day, women, girls and LGBTQIA+ members experience oppression, discrimination and violence in all regions of the world. In patriarchal societies, solidarity support and structural change are therefore needed to bring about more protection and rights for those affected.

In Indonesia, for example, around 1.2 million girls under the age of 18 are married off every year, often against their will. In Hong Kong, more than 40 percent of the 350,000 foreign domestic workers are of Indonesian origin - many of them report abuse of power and sexual assault by their employers.

In Peru and Bolivia, too, the number of femicides, sexual exploitation and enforced and state-sanctioned disappearances is increasing at an alarming rate. In Peru alone, there were over 140,000 registered violations of violence against women in 2024. 29,000 of these were sexual violence - the equivalent of one in five registered women. In Bolivia, more than 11,000 reports of sexual assault were registered in 2023. However, the legal system does not respond adequately; in Peru, too, only ten percent of reports lead to a conviction. The rights of women, children and LGBTQIA+ people are repeatedly disregarded if they are also disadvantaged by poverty, disability or racism, are refugees or belong to the social group of migrants.

People around the world are standing up for an end to violence - for justice, protection and human dignity. Mission 21 stands in solidarity with them: Together with partner organizations in Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong as well as committed feminist networks in Peru and Bolivia, we support projects that empower women and girls through legal aid, educational opportunities, shelters, prevention work and awareness-raising among men - in schools, villages and religious communities.

In our 2026 campaign, we are focusing on self-determination and civil courage - and on making the voices of those who are repeatedly ignored heard. Support our vision of a gender-equitable world free from violence.

The campaign runs from September 6 to Advent 2026.

Information, opportunities to get involved and materials are from the end of March are available.

A more in-depth look at possible involvement in the campaign is offered on April 23 the Platform world view, organized by the Bern-Jura-Solothurn cantonal churches. The Weltsicht platform uses our campaign to highlight opportunities for interested parties to link the work of church communities with issues of global importance.

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