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We celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25.
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END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Photo credit, from top to bottom: United Nations, Karl Fredrickson, United Nations.
Observing this day symbolizes the mobilization against violence against women and reminds us that women must be at the heart of change.
On 25 November 1960, the Mirabal sisters were brutally assassinated because of their identity as women and activists. Their only crime was having fought for their rights against the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961). In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 48/104 for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which defines this type of violence as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” Consequently, to solidify this decision, in 1999 the General Assembly proclaimed 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Violence against women is an obstacle to constructing inclusive and sustainable societies. This is why UNESCO highlights gender equality and non-violence. It is impossible for a society to blossom if half of the population lives in fear of being assaulted.
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
“The struggle to eradicate violence against women is driven by a broader ambition to achieve a world in which women do not have fewer rights, fewer opportunities and fewer choices simply because they are women. On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UNESCO reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the women of the world, and calls upon all its partners to redouble their efforts to triumph in a battle where nothing less than our collective dignity and our humanity is at stake.”
— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Home → What’s On → Events → International Days → November 25
International days are celebrations and calls to action. They are for everyone to participate in. This is how you can take part in an International Day in three simple steps.
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Why are International Days important? They provide unique opportunities to transmit UNESCO values to the world.
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
International days also provide a unique opportunity to engage citizens on global issues, to mobilise political will and resources to address these problems, but also to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity as well as remember some of our darkest times as they guide us towards building a better world.
The United Nations International Days are for everyone, all around the globe. Because they are open, you can have an important role to play in them. NGOs, universities, schools, press and more will be putting together campaigns, events, and calls to action worldwide to provide further opportunities to engage, learn, and transmit the values and knowledge associated with each International Day. They serve as an important vehicle to connect the local to the international.
At their root, UN International Days contribute to the achievement of the purposes of the UN Charter and promote awareness of and action on important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights issues. International days are at the heart of the United Nations Charter. They work to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.
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