The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign that has been used as an organizing strategy by individuals and groups around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women. The 16 Days campaign emphasizes the connections between women’s human rights, violence against women and women’s health, and the detrimental consequences violence against women has on the well-being of the world as a whole. The 16 days began on November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, and will end on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

As a part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, CEMUJER commemorated World Aids Day on December 1, 2008 by participating in the event EXPOSIDA UNIVERSITARIA 2008 focusing on preventing of spread HIV. This event was organized by a Forum of NGO’s for a National Response to HIV/aids. This event was organized on the campus of the National University where several different NGO’s set up booths to give out information and provide HIV testing. More people than ever are living with HIV in El Salvador there are 21 thousand cases reported and new infections continue. HIV is a serious long-term condition and people living with HIV often face discrimination.

During the event EXPOSIDA HIV/aids CEMUJER gave out more than 3,000 posters and fliers with information on the relationship between gender based violence and the spread of HIV/aids. The numbers of women with HIV have been increasing and the feminization of HIV/aids is linked to lack of information and violence against women. Violent crimes against women that have included rape and other forms of sexual abuse are contributing to the increase and spread of HIV/aids around the world and especially in a country like El Salvador with a high level of violence sexual crimes against women.

CEMUJER provided guidance counseling for those students who were interested about prevention of HIV/aids. They also gave out red ribbons, the international symbol of solidarity with people who are HIV positive or living with AIDS. The people who were walking by were generally friendly, some stopped to ask questions, others rushed past. The groups represented were diverse but, all of them were united the mission of creating a change in mindsets about HIV/aids to help stop the epedemic.