International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25/11)

Women activists around the world have celebrated November 25 as Anti-Violence Day since 1981. On December 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly, by its resolution (A/RES/54/134), declared November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The UN invited governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to hold events on this day aimed at attracting public attention to this problem.

The Secretary-General's message noted: «Violence against women causes untold suffering, grief to families, which affects both young and old, and impoverishes communities. It prevents women from using all their potential, limits economic growth and undermines development».

The historical premise of the Day was an event that occurred in 1960 in the Dominican Republic. On the orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo, three Mirabal sisters, who were political activists, were brutally murdered.

In terms of individual countries, Canada annually celebrates the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6 in memory of the events of the Montreal Massacre of 1989, when 14 women were isolated and brutally killed. On this day, night watches, political debates and other events aimed at eliminating violence against women take place in Canada.

The white ribbon is a symbol against all forms of violence against women, the preservation of motherhood, and is also used in all similar cases. In recent years, its existence has gradually become known in more and more countries. But violence against women continues to be a global problem. Up to 70% of women suffer from domestic violence.

A separate big topic is domestic violence, from which a considerable number of women suffer. This issue is being addressed by an increasing number of human rights organizations, which call on all victims of violence to seek help rather than endure pain and humiliation.

According to the United Nations, 35% of women and girls in the world experience some form of physical and/or sexual violence during their lifetime; some 200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (mainly in Africa and some countries in the Middle East); globally, some 750 million women and girls have married before the age of 18; women and girls account for 71% of all victims of human trafficking, 3 out of 4 of them are subjected to sexual exploitation. However, in a number of countries, the consequences of violence against women have persisted for generations.

During the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, violence against women and girls, especially domestic violence, increased. In this regard, the burden on medical and first aid services for victims of domestic violence has increased enormously.

But violence against women is a violation of human rights, and this phenomenon must be countered by complete public rejection and an appropriate legislative framework.

Therefore, every year from November 25 to December 10, when Human Rights Day is celebrated, «16 days of the fight against violence against women» are held. This is an international campaign to combat gender-based violence, with events dedicated to a specific topic every year.

Also as part of the «Say No to Violence» campaign carried out by UN Women«, the 25th of each month was proclaimed »Orange Day«. The campaign, launched in 2009, aims to strengthen the efforts of civil society, governments and UN agencies as part of the progress made by the Secretary-General's Campaign «COMMUNICATIONS» (UNiTE) to combat violence against women. Campaigners can wear orange clothing or accessories to express their solidarity with the movement for a future free of violence against women and girls.

In 2017, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) launched a new long-term global initiative, «Beam of Light», aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls. In accordance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this initiative will take full account of the principle of «no one will be forgotten».



Postcard «November 25 — International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women» Story «First smart thing»

48