The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The day is observed to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence. Another one of the aims of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden.
Globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older). Since the outbreak of COVID-19, emerging data and reports from those on the front lines, have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified.
Hence, creating awareness fo the fact and to prevent all types of violence against women is of utmost importance.
History of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
November 25 is chosen as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women based on the date of the 1960 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters. The Mirabal sisters, known commonly as Patria, Minerva, and MarÃa Teresa, opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo (El Jefe) in the Dominican Republic and were involved in clandestine activities against his regime. The three sisters were assassinated on 25 November 1960. In 1999, in their honor, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The date of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women also marks the start of the "16 Days of Activism" that precedes Human Rights Day on December 10 each year.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Theme
This year’s theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”
2018: "Orange the World:#HearMeToo"
2019 : "Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape"
2020: "Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!".
Violence Against Women in India
According to statistics, the number crimes against women in India is increasing. The National Commission for Women received 23,722 complaints of crimes committed against women in 2020, the highest in the last six years. Among states, the highest number of complaints were received from Uttar Pradesh at 11,872 followed by Delhi 2,635, Haryana 1,266 and Maharashtra 1,188.
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