International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
By ChiYoWo
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was designated to November 25th by the United Nations General Assembly. This date was chosen in remembrance of the assassination of three sisters Maria, Teresa, and Minerva Mirabel. The Mirabel sisters were activists from the Dominican Republic who were opposed to the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo and were involved in clandestine activities against his regime. Because they were protesting against Trujillo, he ordered for them to be assassinated.
Today, the premise of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is to raise awareness to the fact that women all around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence as well as other forms of violence.
Quick Facts
- 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence-mostly by an intimate partner.
- Women who have been physically or sexually abused by their partners are more than twice as likely to have an abortion, almost twice as likely to experience depression, and in some regions, 1.5 times more likely to acquire HIV, as compared to women who have not experienced partner violence.
- It is estimated that of all women who were the victims of homicide globally in 2012, almost half were killed by intimate partners or family members, compared to less than six per cent of men killed in the same year.
- Around 120 million girls worldwide (slightly more than 1 in 10) have experienced forced intercourse or other forced sexual acts at some point in their lives. By far the most common perpetrators of sexual violence against girls are current or former husbands, partners or boyfriends.
Many women’s organizations have pulled together to increase awareness and gather support. It is time for us to join in and end violence against women together.
Please, help us celebrate and take action by participating in International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The 25th of November is known as “Orange Day’ so be sure to wear something orange!
Sources
[1.] UN Women – http://www.unwomen.org [2.] History – http://www.history.com
