International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

 

- In December 1999, the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134 declaring November 25th the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The origins of November 25th go back to 1960, when the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated for their political activism. The sisters, known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies", became a symbol of the crisis of violence against women in Latin America. November 25th was the date chosen to commemorate their lives and promote global recognition of gender violence, and has been observed in Latin America since the 1980s.

Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. According to UNIFEM, at least one in three women in the world has suffered from violence, usually by someone known to her. In many societies, bias in the legal system and community attitudes add to the trauma.

Source: UNIFEM

Selected learning materials

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign: Bibliography and Resource List
Bibliography of resources which can be used in the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign (between 25 November, International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women -- which marks the violent deaths of the three Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic in 1960 -- and 10 December, International Human Rights Day).
Child Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation
This module contains four lesson plans and each lesson is highly flexible and adaptable. Standards by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) were used to guide the development of this module and it is designed so that teachers can teach a lesson within 1-2 class periods to introduce the subject or fully integrate the materials into the classrooms throughout the year. Teachers can also combine different lesson plans or combine modules for a more comprehensive introduction. Some suggestions are provided by the author. Child trafficking is an extremely sensitive subject as it addresses trafficking of children for sexual exploitation. The module may be more appropriate for high school levels.
The Annotated Guide to the Complete UN Trafficking Protocol
The Annotated Guide to the new United Nations Trafficking Protocol is intended to be of use to legal professionals in their work on developing a human rights framework for national anti-trafficking laws and policies.
Trafficking in persons (Asian Human Rights Commission)
The Handbook is intended for NGOs, activists and persons who come into contact with trafficked persons or who are interested in the issue of trafficking. This is a broad-based manual, containing general strategies that can be further adapted to local contexts. The Handbook was developed out of regional human rights training held for Asia and Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America.

Handbook for legislation on violence against womenThis handbook provides policymakers and other stakeholders with guidance on creating and strengthening policies against violence against women.

Other education and training materials about violence against women in HREA's on-line Library
International and regional standards on ending gender-based violence:
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (1979)
- Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women (1994)
- UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993)
- Beijing Platform for Action - Violence against Women (1995)
- UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000)

- Optional Protocol to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (2000)
- Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (2011)

Useful Links

Say NO to Violence Against Women
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Violence Against Women Online Resources
White Ribbon Campaign (Men working to end men's violence against women)
Stop Rape Now (UN Action against sexual violence in conflicts)
UNiTE to End Violence Against Women (UN Secretary General's campaign)
Links to other organisations and initiatives on preventing violence against women
 

he Issue

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. According to a 2013 WHO global study, 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence. However, some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime from an intimate partner [1].
To raise awareness and trigger action to end this global scourge, the UN observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November. The date marks the brutal assassination in 1960 of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic.

Every year, 25 November and the ensuing 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence which follow (ending on 10 December, Human Rights Day) are commemorated around the world, providing individuals and groups a chance to mobilize and call attention to the urgent need to end violence against women and girls.
Ending violence against women is one of UN Women’s key priority areas, with programmes addressing the pandemic implemented globally. UN Women also coordinates the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign and supports widespread social mobilization through its Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women social media platforms on Facebook and Twitter. In addition, UN Women manages the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women which commemorates its 17th anniversary in 2013.
#orangeurworld

As part of this year’s theme “Orange the World in 16 Days”, we invite you to wear orange – the official colour of the UNiTE campaign. On Orange Day, now observed on the 25th of every month, worldwide activities by UN country offices and civil society organizations strive to highlight efforts to prevent and end violence against women and girls. This year, the UNITE Campaign is extending Orange Day throughout the 16 Days of Activism.
Participate by submitting a photo with a message “I wear orange because…”
- See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women#sthash.1Hlp9qj2.dpuf

	International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
	25 November 2012 -- In December 1999, the 54th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134 declaring November 25th the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The origins of November 25th go back to 1960, when the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated for their political activism. The sisters, known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies", became a symbol of the crisis of violence against women in Latin America. November 25th was the date chosen to commemorate their lives and promote global recognition of gender violence, and has been observed in Latin America since the 1980s. Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. According to UNIFEM, at least one in three women in the world has suffered from violence, usually by someone known to her. In many societies, bias in the legal system and community attitudes add to the trauma. Source: UNIFEM Selected learning materials 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign: Bibliography and Resource List Bibliography of resources which can be used in the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign (between 25 November, International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women -- which marks the violent deaths of the three Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic in 1960 -- and 10 December, International Human Rights Day). Child Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation This module contains four lesson plans and each lesson is highly flexible and adaptable. Standards by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) were used to guide the development of this module and it is designed so that teachers can teach a lesson within 1-2 class periods to introduce the subject or fully integrate the materials into the classrooms throughout the year. Teachers can also combine different lesson plans or combine modules for a more comprehensive introduction. Some suggestions are provided by the author. Child trafficking is an extremely sensitive subject as it addresses trafficking of children for sexual exploitation. The module may be more appropriate for high school levels. The Annotated Guide to the Complete UN Trafficking Protocol The Annotated Guide to the new United Nations Trafficking Protocol is intended to be of use to legal professionals in their work on developing a human rights framework for national anti-trafficking laws and policies. Trafficking in persons (Asian Human Rights Commission) The Handbook is intended for NGOs, activists and persons who come into contact with trafficked persons or who are interested in the issue of trafficking. This is a broad-based manual, containing general strategies that can be further adapted to local contexts. The Handbook was developed out of regional human rights training held for Asia and Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America. Handbook for legislation on violence against womenThis handbook provides policymakers and other stakeholders with guidance on creating and strengthening policies against violence against women. Other education and training materials about violence against women in HREA's on-line Library International and regional standards on ending gender-based violence: - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (1979) - Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women (1994) - UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993) - Beijing Platform for Action - Violence against Women (1995) - UN Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000) - Optional Protocol to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (2000) - Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (2011) Useful Links Say NO to Violence Against Women Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence Violence Against Women Online Resources White Ribbon Campaign (Men working to end men's violence against women) Stop Rape Now (UN Action against sexual violence in conflicts) UNiTE to End Violence Against Women (UN Secretary General's campaign) Links to other organisations and initiatives on preventing violence against women