16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence – 2025

“16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” is a UN campaign that runs from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day), focusing globally on ending violence. In 2025, the UN Women’s theme is “End digital violence against all women and girls”, calling for accountability and safety in tech spaces.

We at SIBC responded to this call and conducted several programmes and campaigns in collaboration with Pillai Group of Institutions. Following is a brief summary.

SDG Covered: Goal #3 (Good health and wellbeing), Goal #5 (Gender Equality), and Goal #16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

10th December 2025

We organised a Seminar Titled “Legislating Safety: A Future Free from Digital Violence” in collaboration with Pillai HOC College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Rasayani with an objective of educating the students abour online harassment and cyber-crimes and legal protections available.

There is a growing concerns related to digital harassment, cyberbullying, online stalking, and other forms of technology-enabled violence that disproportionately affect women and young girls. The session highlighted the importance of legal literacy, safe digital practices, and the need for stronger legislation to ensure a safer virtual environment.

The resource speaker was Adv. Deepali R. Bohra (Practicing Advocate at Mumbai High Court). He emphasized the evolving nature of cyber-crimes, shared real-life case examples, and elaborated on relevant laws such as IT Act provisions, cyber safety guidelines, and reporting mechanisms. Interactive discussions encouraged students to reflect on responsible digital behaviour and the significance of supporting victims of online violence.

Appx. 200 students benefitted by this session.

9th December 2025

We collaborated with the Women Development Cell (WDC) of MES Pillai HOC College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Rasayani to organise a Seminar Titled “Together against Violence: Protecting Women and Girls” on 9th December, 2025. The objective was to foster a shift from understanding the challenges to actively creating safer spaces for women and take proactive steps.

The Resource Person for the seminar was Shri. Sanjay Bangar, Sr. PI, Rasayani Police Station. He delivered an insightful talk and shared some real-life incidents to address gender-based violence. He highlighted the importance of community co-operation in reporting and preventing such crimes. Practical tips on self-protection and awareness of legal rights were also shared with the audience of 200 participants.

The interactive session was a huge success with a total of 200 participants, initiating thought provoking conversation with the resource person. The event aligned with

8th December 2025

We organised a film screening at MES Pillai HOC College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Rasayani, to make the students aware about child sex abuse. This was followed by a lively discussion aimed to break the silence and stigma surrounding the issue.

Kamala is a short film that poignantly depicts the experiences of a young girl who becomes a victim of sexual abuse. After the screening, a discussion was conducted focusing on causes and prevalence of child sexual abuse, the POCSO Act, safe and unsafe touch, reporting mechanisms, helplines, and support systems, role of teachers, parents, and society in prevention.

These Informative discussions helped the participants understand the various forms of violence that often go unnoticed in rural communities, including cyberbullying, online stalking, and digital exploitation. A total of 60 students took part in the screening and discussion.

6th December 2025

We collaborated with the Women Development Cell (WDC) of MES Pillai HOC College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Rasayani to organise a campaign at Shivnagar Wadi, a village near Rasayani. The aim was to create awareness in rural communities about various forms of violence, including digital abuse.

Volunteers and faculty members addressed various topics like Unity Against Rape, Violence Against Indigenous Women and Tribes, Human Trafficking, Child Marriages, Discrimination Against Women in Rural Communities, Sexual Exploitation, etc. The local women and girls participated enthusiastically. Menstrual Hygiene and Sanitary Products were distributed to women and adolescent girls of the wadi, along with guidance on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, and safe sanitation practices.

5th December 2025

Yvette Lee, Secretary of SIBC and PAC of NASI conducted an interactive Session on “Being Respectful” for the students of Grade 11 and 12 at Dr. Pillai Global Academy, New Panvel on 5th December 2025.

The session addressed essential and timely topics such as healthy relationships, setting personal boundaries and understanding consent. These discussions aimed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to foster respectful behaviour, build positive interactions and engage in safe and responsible relationships, while negotiating both real life and online spaces.

4th December 2025

We collaborated with the WDC of Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, New Panvel to organize an empowering Session Titled “Voice Against Violence”. The Guest Speaker was Adv. Poonam Gupta.

The session aimed to raise awareness about the various forms of violence faced in our communities and to encourage students to speak up, support survivors, and promote a culture of respect and safety. Through interactive discussions, real-life case reflections, and student-led dialogues, participants explored ways to challenge harmful norms and become proactive allies. The event successfully fostered a spirit of solidarity, inspiring students to take meaningful action against all forms of violence.

Appx. 47 students benefitted by this session.

4th December 2025

We came together with the Women Development Cell of Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Science, New Panvel to organize an inspiring Open Mic Competition to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The event provided a creative platform for students to express their thoughts through poetry, storytelling, music, and spoken word, highlighting themes of empowerment, equality, and solidarity. Participants used their voices to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, and promote a culture of respect and safety on campus. The competition not only showcased remarkable talent but also reinforced the importance of collective action in standing against all forms of violence.