International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

About International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

• It is observed annually on November 25.
• It is a United Nations (UN)-designated day marked to create awareness of the different types of violence faced by women, promoting advocacy, and creating better opportunities for women.
• 2023 Theme: This year’s theme, "UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls", emphasises the need to fund prevention strategies proactively to stop gender-based violence.
• History:
  • Since 1981, women’s rights activists have marked 25 November as a day against gender-based violence, paying homage to the Mirabal sisters—three Dominican political activists brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).
  • The UN General Assembly, on 20 December 1993, adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, laying the groundwork for global efforts to eradicate such violence.
  • On 7 February 2000, the General Assembly, through a resolution, officially designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. 
  • This resolution urged governments, international organizations and NGOs to unite in organizing activities annually on this date, fostering public awareness and collective action to address and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide.

Q1) What is the UN General Assembly?

The General Assembly is one of the six main organs of the United Nations, the only one in which all Member States have equal representation: one nation, one vote. All 193 Member States of the United Nations are represented in this unique forum to discuss and work together on a wide array of international issues covered by the UN Charter.

Source: International Day For The Elimination of Violence Against Women 2023: History, Significance And Theme