Chances are, most of us have encountered some kind of harassment, whether online or offline. Each encounter is different, depending on who the harasser is, where you are when it happened, the context of the harassment etc. When caught in the moment, we might sometimes find it hard to respond, especially if the situation has never been encountered before. But when we are armed with the knowledge of experience, reflection and discussion, we are better able to know what to say and do to define the context, draw the line, and communicate clearly that the action, comment or gesture is not acceptable. How have you turned the situation around? What was your strategy to transform a threatening and unsafe space into one where you felt safe and in control?

Imagine being able to walk down any street at any time of the day without the possibility of being harassed. Imagine every home being free from the sounds and actions of violence. Imagine posting any information about yourself online without being anxious about who might abuse it. Imagine surfing the internet without seeing one sexually degrading advertisement, representation or comment. How would it look? Picture a world without violence. In the process, identify and name what contributes to violence against women, and make a commitment to take action to end violence against women.

What does it take to end violence against women? Sometimes it takes a large action: ratifying a convention, making a change in law, committing through policy and more. Most of the time, it takes small gestures: in everyday actions, everyday words, everyday interactions with the women and men around us, and within ourselves.  And sometimes, it might take just that one unlikely, but great and timely idea to start changing things. Join in the global brainstorm. What's your idea for ending violence against women?

The internet has become an important public space especially in contexts where other channels for information are regulated through law, custom or norms. Sexuality in particular, is an area that is subjected to close scrutiny and policing in all parts of the world, in different ways. It is often difficult for women to find safe spaces to find information related to sexual reproductive health or sexual pleasure from the diverse perspective of women and girls, or to engage in open conversations about these matters. At the same time, the internet has also enabled the flourishing of pornography. The dominant forms of pornography are often created for the male audience, with disempowering sexualised representations of women. This is also the basis in which calls have been made to regulate the exchange of information and communication over the internet, and for its censorship. Women are more often than not, absent in these discussions. What is the problem with online pornography? Speak for yourself. Join the great debate.

Today marks the International Day Against Violence Against Women. Yet, violence against women rarely receives the same kind of collective outrage that comes with other forms of human rights violations, such as the suppression of civil and political rights. We live with the reality of violence against women in our daily lives, almost accepting it as "normal". Every second, a woman or a girl is being abused, violated, harmed, harassed - simply because she's a woman, or a girl. Reject this reality. Start your 16 days of activism Take Back The Tech! campaign by making a clear stand to end violence against women.

Take Back The Tech calls for your support and participation! Join Women'sNet and Girls'Net to keep mobile phone and internet use safe from harassment, bullying and violence. "Keep Your Chats Exactly That!" is a campaign that aims to empower young people in the use of the internet and cell phones. It looks at both strategies of prevention from harassment, bullying and violence, as well as strategies for using ICTs in affirmative ways to advocate for change on issues that concern them.

SMS your tactics, sticker your support & blog about it!