International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women
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November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of 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 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:
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; and
child marriage.
Not until the half of our population represented by women and girls can live free from fear, violence and everyday insecurity, can we truly say we live in a fair and equal world.” — UN Secretary-General António Guterres
To further clarify, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Today also marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that takes place each year and which commences on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
This year’s global campaign, #OrangeTheWorld – #HearMetoo is inspired by the fact that far too long, impunity, silence, stigma and shame have led to an entrenched endemic of this human rights violation around the world. However, in recent years, the drive for change has garnered more visibility due largely to the determination and bravery of grassroots activists and survivor advocates, including #MeToo, #TimesUp, #Niunamenos, #NotOneMore, #BalanceTonPorc, among others. Advocates understand that while the names and the contexts 2 may differ across geographic locations, economic and social contexts, one common theme runs deep. Women and girls are experiencing extensive abuse and violence and their stories need to be brought to light.
