Nelly Bassily | November 24, 2014
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says: “I welcome the chorus of voices calling for an end to the violence that affects an estimated one in three women in her lifetime. I applaud leaders who are helping to enact and enforce laws and change mindsets. And I pay tribute to all those heroes around the world who help victims to heal and to become agents of change.”
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Day is the starting point for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which leads up to Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10.
Why is there a need for these international days of observance and for a campaign to end gender-based violence? Primarily because violence against women is so prevalent, and because it’s a violation of human rights. Gender-based violence is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women.
Violence against women also impedes progress in many areas, including the eradication of poverty and the fight against HIV and AIDS. In some countries, up to 70 per cent of women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime.
But violence against women and girls is not inevitable. You can organize and broadcast programs on your station to raise awareness. For more information about the Day, and online resources, go to: http://www.un.org/en/events/endviolenceday/
For more information about the 16 Days of Action, go to: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women