Bhubaneswar: The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, is observed world wide on 25 November to pledge for stopping violence against women. As per reports , the current year has been a very gloomy one for the women and girls on society as well as in the zone of conflict. Gender based violence has a significant societal impact on individual and communities.
Historically, 25 November 1960 is marked dark because the Mirabal sisters were brutally assassinated on this date for just being women activists. Their only crime was fighting for their rights against the Dominican dictator, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).
The United Nations General Assembly, in the year 1993, adopted Resolution 48/104 defining Elimination of Violence Against Women, in its definition and types. It explains 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.”
The UN General Assembly, in 1999, signified 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to commemorate the rights and empowerment of women.
There are certain data that indicate the situation worsening this year in terms of women facing lethal crimes, violence and killings. As per the UNOCHA report, the number of women got killed in armed conflicts as compared to the previous to the year. Cases of sexual violence against women in conflict has become 50% higher than last year. International Human Rights Law and their special protections for women are severely ignored in conflicts. Food insecurity is alarming with one in two women in conflicts facing moderate to severe hunger.
The theme and the logo for the International day for the elimination of violence against women 2024 is ‘ No excuse for violence against women’. The campaign pledges , ‘ 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.
A 16 days campaign called UNiTE campaign is being launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The UNiTE campaign will remain active from November 25 to December 10 is an initiative of activism concluding on the very day which is observed as International Human Rights Day,10 December.
-OdishaAge
