Today, November 25th, is the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women.
On this day in 1960, the Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, were assassinated, and this is why the United Nations (UN) has chosen this day to raise awareness for the violence women face worldwide, and the work we can do to end it.
Why is this an important International Day?
- Violence against women is a human rights violation.
- Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women.
- Violence against women impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security.
- Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential.
- Violence against women continues to be a global pandemic.
To many of you, these might seem obvious reasons. However, there is still deep-rooted inequality in the roles, rights and opportunities of men and women worldwide, and attitudes and social norms that condone or normalize such violence.
Some disturbing facts:
- 1 in 3 women around the world experience violence in their lifetime, often in the hands of someone they know, love and trust.
- 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence.
- Today, more than 700 million women were married as children (below 18 years old) worldwide.
- 603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime.
- Women and girls make up 80% of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked across national borders annually, with 79% of them trafficked for sexual exploitation.
- Approximately 100-140 million girls and women in the world have experienced female genital mutilation.
- Globally, up to 50% of sexual assaults are commited against girls under the age of 16.
- More than 100 million girls are “missing” due to prenatal sex selection.
- As many as 1 in 4 women experience physical or sexual violence during pregnancy.
- Approximately 250,000 to 500,000 women and girls were raped in the Rwandan genocide in 1994.
What is being done?
Every year, the United Nations Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women calls for global action to increase worldwide awareness and create opportunities for discussion about challenges and solutions. In 2015, the UNiTE campaign called on governments, UN entities, civil society organizations and individuals across the world to “orange the world” to raise public awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls. Furthermore, a new global development agenda was accepted by all countries and it consists of 17 goals. Through its seventeen goals, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development guides global policy and action for the next fifteen years. The Agenda recognizes gender equality and the empowerment of women as a key priority and pledges that “no one will be left behind”. Goal five of the agenda aims to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” and includes specific targets to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. For the first time, ending violence against women and girls has become a core part of the global development agenda.
However, the gap between binding commitments, laws and policies in place and the lived experiences of women and girls who should benefit from them is still far too wide. This is why the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence Against Women Campaign invites governments, UN agencies, civil society organizations and individuals from all countries of the world to mark the days between 25th November and the 10th December (the 16 Days of Activism) by coming together to raise resources for local and national initiatives that work to prevent and end violence against women and girls.
How can you help?
Take action to Orange Your Day – The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, managed by UN Women, has proclaimed every 25th of the month as “Orange Day” – a day to take action to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.
- Engage your government: Reach out to government leaders to join you in lighting – or “oranging” – iconic buildings in your communities, town and cities up in bright orange.
- Make it visible, make it ORANGE: Fill your social media with orange images to raise awareness about violence against women. Join the conversation online and watch out for content shared through the hashtags #orangetheworld and #16days. For more inspiration, look back at how we “oranged” the world last year here!
- Raise money for the cause: Organise fund-raising activities and events to benefit UN Women’s work on ending violence against women and girls.
- Share what you are planning: Please share your plans and help the UN show how we are “oranging” the world, by emailing Anna (anna.alaszewski@unwomen.org)
You can find the UNiTE campaign on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and on their website!