16 Days of Activism 2025
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence takes place each year from 25 November until 10 December. This year for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we focused on a number of campaigns, events and activities.
Influenced Podcast Launch
During 16 Days of Activism, we launched Episode 1 of our Influenced Podcast, which explores violence against women and girls (VAWG) through the lens of Muslim & Minority Ethnic women’s experiences in Scotland. Our podcast unpacks how misogyny and gendered violence manifest in communities, as well as how cultural and religious narratives are sometimes misused to justify harm. Through conversations with survivors, activists and experts, we aim to challenge harmful influences, amplify voices from minority communities, and explore pathways toward safety, justice, and change.
Watch Episode 1 now on YouTube or Spotify. Keep an eye on our socials for news about the next episodes!
Key Event: The Hidden Harm
This year, we hosted The Hidden Harm with Scottish Government, reclaiming the fight on ending VAWG from racism, misogyny and the far right. Led by Minister for Equalities MSP Kaukab Stewart and CEO Mariam Ahmed, the panel included Zara Mohammed, Linsay Taylor and Zamard Zahid.
Thank you to everyone who joined the session and took part in our discussions. Let’s work together to make Scotland safer for all women and girls.
Spotlight Campaign: Exposed
This year’s theme for 16 Days of Activism has been UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls. Our spotlight campaign, Exposed, looks at real cases of intimate image abuse in Muslim & Minority Ethnic communities, where private images were shared without these women’s consent. Legally, the women were not protected against such abuse.
In collaboration with RPH and Report Harmful Content, our campaign materials explore this form of abuse, while providing resources and a roadmap to gaining support. Access our Exposed resources here.
Domestic Abuse Training
CEO Mariam Ahmed delivered a domestic abuse and coercive control training session attended by 35 participants, including Amina staff, volunteers and local service providers. The session strengthened understanding of abuse dynamics, legislation, risk assessment and safety planning, equipping attendees to recognise signs of abuse, respond safely to disclosures, and offer supportive, informed practice.
Let’s continue to strengthen our collective voice, stand up to hate and build a safer, more equitable Scotland for all women.
Shifting Sands Screening
In Dundee, our Creative Well-Being team hosted a screening for Shifting Sands, a powerful film exploring the realities of coercive control. The session was hosted in partnership with Glasgow Women’s Library and included an interactive discussion and a practical toolkit highlighting warning signs and support services available to those affected.
To create a safe space, we paused the screening for conversations about the characters’ behaviors and offered one-to-one support for anyone who felt triggered. The film was also available with Urdu subtitles to ensure accessibility for all of our attendees. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to such meaningful dialogue. Together, we continue raising awareness and standing against gender-based violence.
Human Rights Day Joint Letter
For Human Rights Day, Amina MWRC was part of 180+ organisations across the UK are standing together to call out recent rhetoric from government and demand better from the Prime Minister. We want leadership that strengthens rights, not weakens them – because dignity, fairness, and accountability matter.
