Awareness into Action : November 25th’s International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women

What is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women?  

The aim of this day is to shed light on the various pervasive forms of violence affecting women and girls worldwide—from sexual assault and domestic abuse to workplace harassment and human trafficking. Across the globe, communities and organizations come together to emphasize the profound harm this violence inflicts on individuals and societies alike, while underscoring the urgent need to speak out, stand up, and drive meaningful change.

Why does International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women fall on November 25th? 

The first Feminist Encuentro - the vindication of women's rights for Latin America and Caribbean was held in Bogota, Columbia, in July of 1981 and established November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Women at the Feminist Encuentro protested state violence, including but not limited to: sexual harassment, abuse, and domestic violence. November 25th specifically was selected to honor the lives of the three political activists Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa Mirabal, who were killed on November 25, 1960, by the secret police in the Dominican Republic under the Trujillo dictatorship. 

Established by the United Nations in 1999, this day is dedicated to raising awareness about the widespread issue of violence against women and to mobilizing efforts to eliminate it. This particular type of violence is characterized 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 private life," according to Resolution 48/104 for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993.  (UN Women’s Headquarters Office, 2021) In 1999, the General Assembly declared November 25th to be the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in order to further cement this decision.

How can you contribute to Eliminating Violence Against Women? 

Educate yourself! 

Promoting open communication and education is one of the most effective strategies to stop violence against women. Being aware of the facts and communicating them to family, colleagues, or close friends can be crucial in changing the damaging societal norms that support violence. We can identify, confront, and prevent gender-based violence more effectively if we are aware of its realities and their implementations in our everyday lives. Education aids in identifying situations and behaviors that are frequently accepted, such as harassment, intimidation, and control. Many people might not even be aware that some behaviors are abusive since they have been absorbed into social norms or are dismissed instead of being addressed. Open dialogue on these topics can help us destroy these damaging conventions and replace them with ones that put safety, equality, and respect first. 

Advocacy & Awareness

One of the most effective ways we can move towards a safer, more equal future for women is to advocate for change. Driving long-term social and legal change requires speaking out in favor of laws that protect women. Every action, whether it be speaking with representatives, raising awareness online, or participating in nonviolent demonstrations, contributes to the movement's growth.

Challenge Harmful Stereotypes

Dismantling the deeply ingrained attitudes and ideas that fuel violence against women requires confronting stereotypes. In addition to disrupting damaging narratives, challenging and denouncing sexist jokes, words, and actions also sends a message that such viewpoints are unacceptable. By addressing these problems in our daily lives, we contribute to the transformation of cultural norms, making the environment safer and more courteous for all. Negative gender stereotypes are frequently so ingrained in our speech and actions that they are overlooked or even dismissed as unimportant. Jokes that minimize women's feelings or aspirations or remarks that downplay women's power, intelligence, or independence—like "boys will be boys"—can quietly perpetuate negative stereotypes about women's place in society. These prejudices become more commonplace with time. 

Speaking up can be awkward when confronted with sexist jokes or contemptuous language, but it has a huge impact. You can see for yourself that stereotypes have actual repercussions by confronting offensive comments that arise from their concept. Depending on the circumstance, responses might be either straightforward or tactful. Here are some possible responses:

• What do you mean by that?" is an example question. "Why is that funny?" prompts the speaker to consider what they have said.

• Tell people politely that you do not feel comfortable with certain jokes or language. Simply stating, "I don't find that funny," can cause others to reconsider their strategy.

• An explanation as simple as, "those comments make it hard for people to feel safe or respected" might help others consider their words more carefully and demonstrate a cascading effect on changing attitudes and behaviors. Stereotypes have less room to affect social standards the more aggressively people reject them.

Support Survivors & Share Stories

Open conversations create an environment where survivors feel seen, supported, and less isolated. When people speak out, they contribute to a culture that rejects violence and supports accountability. These conversations, however small, can make a big difference in encouraging society to see gender-based violence for what it is—a violation of human rights that cannot be ignored or tolerated.