On November 25, 2009, Women’s Rights Center joined to the annual “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” Campaign and launched its first event dedicated to the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.

“16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” Campaign launches every year from November 25, the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and lasts till December 10, the International Human Rights Day. These days were chosen to symbolically link violence against women and human rights to emphasize that violence against women is a severe violation of human rights.

Another Campaign that has been also launched from November 25 was the White Ribbon Campaign commemorating the massacre of 14 women-students killed in Canada by an anti-feminist man in 1989. Men attending the event were provided with White Ribbons and asked to wear them in commemoration of the death of 14 students.

The event started from the performance “Bruises on the soul” prepared by the volunteer-students from Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinematography. Children of women who have been cooperating with Women’s Rights Center were also involved in the play.

The performance was based on a true story telling about a young couple. The wife was living with hard memories of her childhood in her heart, with the bruises that remained in her soul and her husband was unable to understand her. The only way-out for the woman in despair and indifference seems to be her leaving from her husband.

The performance was followed by a concert of the Children’s Folk Group established by Women's Rights Center. The children in national costumes granted a supreme enjoyment to the audience with their beautiful songs and dances. The formation of the Children’s Folk Group is being regarded by Women’s Rights Center as an additional tool in its strategy to combat domestic violence.

The evening completed with high mood of the participants and the children who were preparing to the event with high enthusiasm.
The implementation of the “16 Days” Campaign became possible by the support of Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation in Armenia.