On each year’s November 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It is a day to raise public awareness of violence against women, and also commemorate brave females who fought for their rights.
“Violence & abuse against women are among the world’s most horrific human rights violations, affecting 1 in every 3 women in the world.” António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations said in his speech, calling on all parties to ends any kind of sexual violence and harassment.
Violence & abuse against women are among the world’s most horrific human rights violations, affecting 1 in every 3 women in the world.
We must take a firm stand against sexual violence.
We must show greater solidarity with survivors, advocates & women’s rights defenders. pic.twitter.com/t4oB52oQZ2
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 25, 2019
Why is it on November 25th?
According to the Independent, the history can be traced back to about 40 years ago. On November 25th, 1960, three of Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, were assassinated by the country’s dictator, Rafael Trujillo. They were Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa. In order to memorize them, people call them “butterflies”.
These three "butterflies" organized, fought, and gave their lives in their pursuit of a free Dominican Republic. #HispanicHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/zsl5jxxtKi
— HISTORY (@HISTORY) September 27, 2018
After that, in 1981, Women’s rights activists commemorated their death on November 25th as a day to raise awareness of gender-based violence. On 20th December 1993, the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, paving the way for the elimination of violence against women and girls worldwide.
On February 7th, 2000, they officially designating 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and in the process invited governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations to work together to participate in and organize public awareness-raising events that are conducted annually on that date, the UN reports.
What else should we know?
Where can people ask for help?
Except for local police offices and public health services, people living in the UK can also seek supports on End violence against women.
Words/Infographic: Keming Kuang
Feature Photo by Melanie Wasser on Unsplash