November 25 has been designated by the world community as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It is a day for governments, international groups, and membership organizations like NOW to come together to organize activities and events to spread awareness of this issue.
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world today. It remains largely unreported due to silence, stigma, shame, lack of protections and redress for victims.
According to the UN, nearly one in three women and girls worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. “For at least 51,100 women in 2023, this violence escalated to femicide (homicide targeted at women) with over half committed by intimate partners or family members.”
According to a report being issued by UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), “Femicides in 2023: Global estimates of intimate partner/family member femicides”, globally, a woman was killed every 10 minutes in 2023.”
2024 marks 25 years since the UN designated November 25th, the date of the murder of the Mirabal sisters, who became symbols of democratic and feminist resistance in the Dominican Republic, the UN will convene a full-day event, to launch the report and share best practices in accelerating efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls . The event can be watched live and on-demand on UN Web TV.
NOW members can further support International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women by participating in the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence that begins on November 25 and concludes on December 10, 2024, which is International Human Rights Day. Here’s a concept note from UN Women on the 16 Days of Activism, towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
UN Women have produced this video for the ACT campaign to end Violence against Women through Advocacy, Coalition Building, and Transformative Feminist Action (ACT). Today, and for the 16 Days of Action ahead, NOW members are showing how a strong and intersectional feminist movement can bring about policy change and end violence against women.