International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2024

November 25 is observed annually as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The day calls upon governments, international organizations, and civil society to raise awareness and promote actions to combat violence against women and girls worldwide. In 2024, the observance marks 25 years since the UN’s official designation of the day, coupled with a UN Women-led campaign to launch a new report and highlight best practices for eliminating violence against women and girls.

Significance of the Day

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serves as a global call to action to address gender-based violence. Despite strides in policymaking and awareness campaigns, violence against women remains one of the most widespread and persistent human rights violations. This observance seeks to:

• Highlight the scale of the problem: Around one in three women globally experiences physical or sexual violence.
• Encourage legal reforms: Advocate for universal laws protecting women against domestic violence and rape.
• Promote public engagement: Mobilize support for initiatives like the 16 Days of Activism campaign.

Historical Background

Origins in Activism:

• The day has been observed since 1981 by women’s rights activists.
• The date commemorates the brutal murder of the Mirabal sisters—political activists from the Dominican Republic—on November 25, 1960, by the regime of Rafael Trujillo.

Key Resolutions:

• In 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Resolution 48/104).
• On February 7, 2000, the UN officially designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women through Resolution 54/134.

Forms of Violence Against Women

The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women defines violence as any act of gender-based violence causing physical, sexual, or psychological harm. It includes:

Intimate Partner Violence:

Battering, marital rape, psychological abuse, femicide.

Sexual Violence and Harassment:

Rape, forced sexual acts, child abuse, unwanted advances, cyber-harassment.

Human Trafficking:

Sexual exploitation and slavery.

Harmful Practices:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage.

Women and girls in vulnerable communities, including migrants, Indigenous groups, and people with disabilities, face disproportionate risks.

Current Global Status

Incomplete Legal Protections:

• 37 countries exempt rapists from prosecution if they marry their victims.
• 49 countries have no laws protecting women from domestic violence.

Impact of Violence:

• 140 women and girls are killed daily by family members.
• Over 51,100 women were victims of femicide in 2023, with intimate partners being the most common perpetrators.
• Policy Gaps: Only two-thirds of countries worldwide have criminalized domestic violence.

UN Initiatives

UNiTE Campaign:

• Launched in 2008 to increase awareness and resources to combat violence against women and girls.
• Encourages activism beyond November 25, designating the 25th of each month as Orange Day.

16 Days of Activism:

• Runs annually from November 25 to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).
• Focuses on implementing policies inspired by the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

ACT Campaign:

• Aims to end violence through advocacy, coalition building, and transformative feminist action.

Crime Against Women in India

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB):

• In 2022, 4,45,256 cases of crimes against women were registered—a 4% increase from 2021.

Major crimes included:

• Cruelty by Husband or Relatives: 31.4%
• Kidnapping & Abduction: 19.2%
• Assault with Intent to Outrage Modesty: 18.7%
• Rape: 7.1%

Global Observance Facts