The world is shrouded with dark clouds of crime against women. Be it domestic violence sexual violence or murder, women face problems and the fear of abuse everywhere across the globe. However, now, with the world moving on and creating a safe space for all genders, it is high time that we join hands together to stop all kinds of violence against women. Therefore, November 25 marks the annual International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, created by the United Nations to spur awareness and action against the global epidemic of gender-based abuse. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against WomenEstablished in 1981, the commemorative day coincides with the start of a 16-day activism campaign to galvanize efforts towards preventing and ending violence against women and girls internationally.This years theme is “Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls, emphasizing the need for greater spending on evidence-based policies and prevention programs.HistoryThe symbolic date was selected by activists to commemorate the brutal 1960 assassination of the Mirabal sisters, three political activists in the Dominican Republic murdered for opposing the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo.“Violence against women remains devastatingly pervasive and starts alarmingly young,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. “Every 11 minutes, a woman or a girl is killed by someone in her own family.”The Covid-19 pandemic further triggered a significant spike in domestic violence and intimate partner abuse according to the UN, exacerbating the scale of this urgent crisis. Disruptions to support services for survivors have also set back progress.SignificanceKey global efforts highlighted this year include the European Commissions Victims Rights Strategy establishing specialized centers and networks for abused women across EU states.Meanwhile, grassroots organizations worldwide are mobilizing events, marches and campaigns to raise awareness while advocating for stronger legal protections and support systems locally.“Together, we can eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls... This is an essential part of the journey we must all make towards a world built on the foundations of justice, rights and dignity for all,” Guterres added.
