Across the world, individuals, organizations, and governments came together today to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a global observance aimed at raising awareness about the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and calling for decisive action to end it.
The day, established by the United Nations in 1999, serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing violence against women and girls, a violation of their basic human rights that affects one in three women globally. The theme for this year’s commemoration centers on the collective responsibility to create safe environments where women and girls can exercise their full human rights without fear of violence or persecution.
A Global Call to Action
Every ten minutes, a woman loses her life at the hands of an intimate partner or family member, underscoring the alarming and urgent need to address violence against women and girls worldwide . The day serves as both a call to action and a solemn reminder of the pervasive and deep-rooted issue of gender-based violence, which affects millions of women and girls globally.
A Global Crisis That Demands Immediate Action
According to the UN, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, often perpetrated by someone close to them. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women aims to shine a spotlight on this crisis and to galvanize global efforts to combat it. Through a campaign led by UN Women, the organization called on governments, communities, and individuals to work together to end violence against women and girls and ensure that survivors have access to justice, support, and safety.
“Violence against women and girls must end. We all have a role to play in preventing it,” read a statement shared by the UN’s official platform. This collective call is not just about raising awareness, but about fostering the societal change necessary to end the systemic violence that continues to affect women across the globe.
The 16 Days of Activism: A Focus on Collective Responsibility
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an annual international campaign that runs until December 10, Human Rights Day. This global movement invites individuals and organizations to join forces to push for the eradication of violence and to promote human rights and gender equality.
UN Women has drawn attention to the profound consequences that violence has on women’s health, well-being, and socio-economic participation. Further, it draws attention to gender-based violence remains a significant barrier to achieving both gender equality and sustainable development. The ongoing cycle of violence traps women in poverty, limits access to education, and hinders their ability to lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Strengthening Legislation and Challenging Harmful Norms
The global campaign urges governments to strengthen legislation, improve access to support services for survivors, and allocate sufficient resources to prevention efforts. However, addressing violence against women is not solely the responsibility of governments and institutions—individuals and communities must also play an active role in changing societal attitudes and challenging harmful norms and practices that perpetuate violence.
In Egypt, the National Council for Women launched a nationwide campaign to tackle domestic violence, focusing on educating communities about the importance of support systems for women
“All girls and women must be permitted to exercise their full human rights in a safe environment without fear of violence or persecution,” the UN statement concludes. Besides, communities allover the world are called upon to challenge patriarchal norms, tackle harmful gender stereotypes, and foster environments that empower women to live free from violence and discrimination.
