November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a pivotal day to raise awareness about gender-based violence and advocate for the rights and safety of women and girls worldwide.
This day, first designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, is a stark reminder of the pervasive violence that women face globally. The event not only spotlights the devastating effects of violence but also inspires action at every level of society to combat this enduring crisis.
Violence against women and girls remains 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.
For at least 51,100 women in 2023, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act—their murder by partners and family members. That means a woman was killed every 10 minutes.
These staggering figures are the focus of this year’s campaign; Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women will draw attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women to revitalize commitments, call for accountability and action from decision-makers.
Within the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993, defines violence against women 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.”
This affects women at all stages of their life, including education, employment, and opportunities.
Some women and girls, such as those in vulnerable situations or humanitarian crises, migrants, LGTBI, indigenous people or those with disabilities, face greater risk.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
It can manifest in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:
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. All in all, 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.