International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

by Jen Nedeau

Published November 25, 2008 @ 02:47PM PT

November 25 is designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. With the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights quickly approaching, violence against women persists as an all-too-common violation of human rights and human dignity.

I hope everyone can take some time today to learn about this important movement and the social justice issues at hand, such as the disturbing factual evidence provided by the UN today saying:  "At least one in three women will be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime."

Here is some information about the 16-day consciousness raising effort from the United Nations Population Fund:

Violence against women is the most prevalent and least punished crime in the world. It is also a grave threat to health and well-being. Together with the global financial crisis and climate change, it constitutes a major challenge of our time.

Today, as we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, let us unite for human rights and dignity for all. Let us raise our voices and intensify efforts for zero tolerance of violence against girls and women. And let us salute those who are working hard on this important issue. The women, men and young people who actively challenge discrimination and violence against women deserve increased support.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is deeply committed to women's empowerment, gender equality and reproductive health and rights. Core to these efforts is addressing violence against women and girls, both as a human rights violation and a public health priority.

Today, we call on people and leaders around the world to join forces to make violence against women history. Let us reaffirm our faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of men and women.The date was selected to "commemorate the lives of the Mirabal sisters," who were assassinated on November 25, 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship, as explained in the General Assembly resolution designating the day:

Feminist Law Professors give a brief history of the day saying that the date was selected to "commemorate the lives of the Mirabal sisters," who were assassinated on November 25, 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship, as explained in the General Assembly resolution:

Previously, 25 November was observed in Latin America and a growing number of other countries around the world as "International Day Against Violence Against Women". With no standard title, it was also referred to as "No Violence Against Women Day" and the "Day to End Violence Against Women". It was first declared by the first Feminist Encuentro for Latin America and the Caribbean held in Bogota, Colombia (18 to 21 July 1981). At that Encuentro women systematically denounced gender violence from domestic battery, to rape and sexual harassment, to state violence including torture and abuses of women political prisoners. The date was chosen to commemorate the lives of the Mirabal sisters. It originally marked the day that the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated in 1960 during the Trujillo dictatorship (Rafael Trujillo 1930-1961). The day was used to pay tribute to the Mirabal sisters, as well as global recognition of gender violence.