Int'l Day for Elimination of Violence against Women

Photo: Tanvir Ahmed / driknews

The International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women is observed on November 25 every year as per the UN resolution adopted on December 17, 1999. The aim of the day is to raise awareness against violence against women including domestic violence. The day also marks the beginning of a 16-day period of activism against gender violence which starts on November 25 and ends on December 10, the International Human Rights Day.
This day is associated with the sad memories of three Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic, who were brutally assassinated in 1960 on the directives of the then Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabals were farmers in the Dominican Republic whose three educated and well-cultured daughters Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa got involved in politics and relentlessly fought for democracy and women's liberty. All of them were assassinated on November 25, 1960. Since then women activists across the world have been observing November 25 as the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.
It is really unfortunate that gender violence is still rampant in all parts of the world. But violence against women must be stopped in order to create a decent society based on true cultural and religious ethics.