#16Butterflies Challenge

for 16 Days of Activism
Against Gender-Based
Violence

We're supporting girls, women & their families affected by domestic & family violence.

#16Butterflies Challenge

for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

We're supporting girls, women, & their families affected by domestic & family violence.

#16Days of Activism

25th November to 10th December 2024

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign coordinated by UN Women, aiming to raise awareness and drive action to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide. The campaign, occurs annually from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day) advocating for a world free from gender-based violence.

#16Butterflies Challenge

Our #16Butterflies Origami Challenge, running this year during 16 Days of Activism, aims to raise awareness and support girls, women & their families affected by domestic and family violence. The #16Butterflies Origami Challenge shares the message of hope, resilience, change and new beginnings for girls, women & their families affected by domestic and family violence. For 16 days, between November 25th to December 10th, those that participate in this challenge are encouraged to do origami making of #16Butterflies, one origami each day as symbolic support for this important cause this 16 Days of Activism.

Why Origami Butterflies?

The butterfly symbolises hope, transformation, and new beginnings, making it a powerful emblem of support for this Domestic and Family Violence initiative. Just as a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, those affected by domestic and family violence can transform their lives with the right support. 

Origami making is often used in therapeutic settings, referred to as ‘Origami Therapy’. This calming, meditative, and creative art of folding (‘Ori’) paper (‘Kami’) is based on the idea that the focused, rhythmic act of folding paper can promote mindfulness, relaxation, presence, patience, focus, and be a form of emotional expression.

The #16Butterflies Origami Challenge encourages girls, women, their friends & families to take part in this journey of hope and change, through solidarity and action.

Why Origami Butterflies?

The butterfly symbolises hope, transformation, and new beginnings, making it a powerful emblem of support for this Domestic and Family Violence initiative. Just as a butterfly emerges from its chrysalis, those affected by domestic and family violence can transform their lives with the right support. 

Origami making is often used in therapeutic settings, referred to as ‘Origami Therapy’. This calming, meditative, and creative art of folding (‘Ori’) paper (‘Kami’) is based on the idea that the focused, rhythmic act of folding paper can promote mindfulness, relaxation, presence, patience, focus, and be a form of emotional expression.

The #16Butterflies Origami Challenge encourages girls, women, their friends & families to take part in this journey of hope and change, through solidarity and action.

What does the #16Butterflies Challenge aim to do?

  • Awareness: Raise awareness and highlight the prevalence of domestic and family violence, particularly its impact on women, girls, and their families.
  • Access To Support: Provide information for support services and resources available for those affected by domestic and family violence & for those affected to seek help when possible.
  • Educate: Encourage girls, women, their families & friends, whether at school or at home, to learn about healthy, respectful relationships and learn to recognise warning signs to prevent cycles of violence from occurring and continuing.
  • Encourage Action: Engage local young people, families & communities to take action by making the choice to spread awareness through participating in activities like this challenge, workshops, youth groups and parenting groups.

What does the #16Butterflies Challenge aim to do?

  • Awareness: Raise awareness and highlight the prevalence of domestic and family violence, particularly its impact on women, girls, and their families.
  • Access To Support: Provide information for support services and resources available for those affected by domestic and family violence & for those affected to seek help when possible.
  • Educate: Encourage girls, women, their families & friends, whether at school or at home, to learn about healthy, respectful relationships and learn to recognise warning signs to prevent cycles of violence from occurring and continuing.
  • Encourage Action: Engage local young people, families & communities to take action by making the choice to spread awareness through participating in activities like this challenge, workshops, youth groups and parenting groups.

How does the challenge work?

Join The Challenge

Join in this #16Days of Activism with the #16Butterflies Origami Challenge!

Each day there is a #16Butterflies origami that you can make and supporting message to share – you can join in on one day or any/all of the 16 days! You can also make the choice to share your origami art with a message of support, either in-person with someone dear to you, or online via your socials, to raise awareness for this important cause!

Challenge Others

Participants can also challenge others!

Share this #16Butterflies challenge with friends, family, and coworkers so they can also take part in the origami challenge to help raise awareness on domestic and family violence, and support girls, women, & their families affected by domestic and family violence so those affected can seek help, when possible.

Join in with your School / Organisation

Get the #16Butterflies Origami Challenge resource pack for your school or organisation!

Run a #16Butterflies Origami Making activity and discuss respectful relationships at your school or organisation with young people or their families.

Joining this Challenge? Participate in A Daily Origami Activity!

Join in on 2Connect Youth & Community’s #16Butterflies Origami Challenge to fold an origami a day in support of #16Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence this year! You can challenge yourself by participating for 16 Days, or pick and choose the day/s you choose to participate. Share your support – gift your origami in-person to someone dear to you with a word of support, or share your origami art on your socials with a message of support to help raise awareness for girls, women, & their families affected by domestic & family violence!

Day 1:
Safe. Everywhere. Always.

Women and girls have the right to be SAFE. EVERYWHERE. ALWAYS. This UN Women’s motto this year advocates for making safer spaces for women and girls everywhere.

Origami Level: Easy

Day 2:
Like a butterfly, transformation is possible.

With the right support and courage, girls, women, & their families affected by domestic and family violence can break free and rebuild their lives.

Origami Level: Easy

Day 3:
Awareness is the first step toward change.

Today, I’m learning about the impact of domestic and family violence.

Origami Level: Easy

Day 4:
Domestic violence affects generations.

Trauma can pass down to children and impact future family relationships, creating cycles of fear and instability. We need awareness and action today to support breaking the cycle of domestic and family violence.

Origami Level: Easy

Day 5:
Education is prevention.

Preventing violence starts with learning about healthy, respectful relationships.

Origami Level: Medium

Day 6:
Be kind to yourself and others.

Showing compassion and understanding can create a safe space for girls, women, & their families affected by domestic and family violence to seek help and begin healing.

Origami Level: Medium

Day 7:
I empathise with you and I’m here to listen.

Practice empathy – for those affected by domestic and family violence having someone to confide in can be essential for people affected to feel supported and find a path to safety.

Origami Level: Medium

Day 8:
Healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, and respect.

Offering a foundation of safety and support built on trust and respect, without the harmful dynamics found in situations of domestic and family violence, is especially important for people affected by DFV.

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 9:
It takes a community to protect and uplift each other.

Support networks and collective action can help girls, women, & their families affected by domestic and family violence find safety, healing, and empowerment.

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 10:
Healing from trauma is a journey, every small step counts.

Recovering from domestic and family violence takes time, patience, and support to rebuild a sense of safety and self-worth.

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 11:
Resilience is the power to bounce back from adversity.

For people affected by domestic and family violence, this can mean finding the strength and support to heal, rebuild, and reclaim their lives.

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 12:
Support, not shame.

Offering understanding and assistance, without triggering shame, can empower people affected by domestic and family violence to seek help, when possible, and break free from the harmful situation they are experiencing.

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 13:
Let’s talk about it.

We need to have open conversations to stop the stigma around domestic and family violence.

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 14:
We need positive role models.

We call on Women, Men, Young People, Schools & Communities to work together as allies to prevent and stop domestic and family violence.

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 15:
Silence allows violence to continue.

Stand up and speak out!

Origami Level: Challenging

Day 16:
Help and support is available. Reach out today.

There is hope for recovery, and new beginnings for survivors of domestic and family violence. Reach out for support.

Origami Level: Challenging

Support for Young People & Families

  • 2Connect Youth & Family Support Services
    We deliver accessible support to young people (aged 12-18) and parents/family members who live, work, or study in the Bayside and Georges River Council area.
  • 1800 RESPECT
    1800 RESPECT is a 24/7 confidential national helpline providing support, information, and counselling for people affected by domestic, family, and sexual violence. You can also find more support and resources here: https://www.1800respect.org.au/help-and-support

IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 000.

More Domestic & Family Violence Information & Resources:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare – Family, domestic and sexual violence 

aihw_fdsv_infographic - Children and young people

NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research – Domestic Violence

Domestic violence _ BOCSAR homepage

Get the #16Butterflies Resource Pack Mail Out