International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women calls attention to gender-based violence. Despite the adoption of the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) by the UN General Assembly in 1979, violence against women and girls remains a pervasive problem worldwide. To that end, the General Assembly issued resolution 48/104. It lays the foundation for the road toward a world free of gender-based violence.

Another bold step in the right direction was embodied by an initiative launched in 2008. It is known as the UNiTE to End Violence against Women. It aims to raise public awareness around the issue. In addition, it increases both policymaking and resources dedicated to ending violence against women and girls worldwide.

Yet, there is still a long way to go on the global scale. To date, only two out of three countries have outlawed domestic violence. Only 37 countries worldwide still exempt rape perpetrators from prosecution if they are married to or eventually marry the victim. And, 49 countries currently have no laws protecting women from domestic violence.

Wear an orange enamel awareness ribbon pin, fabric ribbon, or orange silicone wristband to call attention to gender-based violence.

A Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Women’s rights activists have observed November 25 as a day against gender-based violence since 1981. This date was selected to honor the Mirabal sisters. They were three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).

On February 7, 2000, the General Assembly adopted resolution 54/134/. This officially designated November 25 as the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In doing so, it invited governments, international organizations as well as NGOs to join together to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the issue every year on that date.

Taking a Stand Against Gender-Based Violence and Why we must eliminate violence against women

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. It remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.

In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:

• Intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide).
• Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment).
• Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation).
• Female genital mutilation.
• Child marriage.

Gender-Based Violence

While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable. This includes young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises.

Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfillment of women and girls’ human rights. All in all, the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – to leave no one behind – cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.