Najwa Rahm

Algeria — Sofia Bouslnam, campaign coordinator at Amnesty International in Algeria, affirmed that the early launch of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, aims to expand engagement with different groups, emphasizing that protecting women requires ongoing efforts that go beyond the campaign period.

With the start of the 16 Days of Activism, the presence of youth and civil society emerged as a key force pushing toward building a more just and free society for women. In this context, the headquarters of Amnesty International in Algeria hosted preliminary activities for the campaign on Friday, November 21. The event aimed to revive the discussion on gender-based violence and highlight the growing role of youth in confronting this persistent violation.

The event showcased the creativity of participants through awareness-raising performances and projects, forming a starting point for a diverse program that will extend throughout the international campaign. Members of the organization presented two interactive theatre-forum performances—an approach that uses theater as a tool to raise sensitive questions and break the silence around issues related to violence.

The theatrical scenes succeeded in sparking deep discussions about the social and legal factors that contribute to the continuation of violence against women, while also shedding light on behavioral patterns that society needs to reconsider. The audience also interacted with the “Break the Code” game, which encourages participants to analyze the roots of gender inequality in an innovative way that combines awareness and collective reflection.

Sofia Bouslnam, the campaign coordinator at Amnesty International in Algeria, said that this event represents the first phase of a program extending over 16 days of field and awareness-raising activities. She noted that the organization works annually to launch integrated initiatives aimed at promoting women's rights as “a fundamental part of the human rights framework.”

She pointed out that a group of young people had received training in a series of workshops focused on women’s rights, which paved the way for broader public engagement using new communication tools—most notably theatre-forum, which has proven effective in opening discussions around violence laws and the social norms that need change.

She added that the early launch of this year’s campaign was intended to provide more space for engagement with different groups, especially given the large number of women in vulnerable situations who require continuous work and support. She emphasized that this campaign is an opportunity to revive public awareness and strengthen joint efforts with civil society to combat violence, stressing that protecting women requires constant and collaborative efforts that extend beyond the campaign itself.

The event reflected a spirit of solidarity and collective action, highlighting the importance of art and experimentation in creating safe spaces for dialogue and renewing commitment to defending women's rights.