THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

 From Gaza to Ukraine, millions of people are displaced  and a significant number include women and girls. Human rights organisations and media reports have documented how women and girls are impacted  disproportionately, pushing them to the brink of survival.

United Nations and  women activists have observed 25 November as a day against gender-based violence since 1981. 

The day marks the start of the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which runs until December 10. The day is a catalyst for change, and aims to: prevent violence, protect victims, prosecute perpetrators, change attitudes, and promote equality between women and men.

The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly from 1993, with Declartion on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The UN has embraced international  day as a powerful advocacy tool.

According to United Nations, violence against women and girls remain one of the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violations in the world. Globally, almost one in three women have been subjected to physical and /or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their life, UN says.

16% to 58% of women globally experience technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Generation Z and Millenials are the most affected, global body says.

The solution lies in robust responses, holding perpetrators accountable, and accelerating action through well resourced national strategies and increased funding to women's rights movements, experts say.

To strengthen its efforts, UN General Assembly has issued Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Agaist Women in 1993. Violence affects women at all stages of their life, including education, employment and opportunities, it says.

It is found that some women and girls, such as those in vulnerable  situations or humanitarian crisises, migrants, LGTBI, indigenous people or those with disabilities, face greater risk, experts say. 

According to the UN, violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfillment of women and girls' human rights. Moreover, the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)--to leave no one behind --cannot be fulfilled without putting an end to violence against women and girls.

The World Federation of Trade Unions in its declaration described violence against women and girls "as a global scourge that grows and thrives through the inequalities and diseases of the capitalist system."

Source : UN Women, WHO,  WFTU