• International Days
• International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Sixty-two years ago, on this day, three women from the Dominican Republic were murdered by order of the country’s dictator, Rafael Trujillo. Known as the Mirabal sisters, they were three political activists involved in clandestine activities against the regime. Today, the three women represent the symbol of feminist resistance.

In 1981, feminist activists from Latin American and the Caribbean honored the sisters by marking the 25^th of November as a day against violence on women. It was only in the year 2000 that the General Assembly of the United Nations established the International day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on this day.

The main goal of this recurrence is to raise public awareness of the issue. In fact, despite the adoption of international conventions and resolutions, violence against women remains one of the hardest human right violations to eradicate. Women often find it difficult to report acts of violence because of stigma, injustice and shame. The initiatives held every year during this time aim to increase the actions of governments and the resources available for women.

Policy makers all over the world have the power to help the cause and some countries are showing their support to women in different ways. This is the case of Australia, where the parliament signed off the final amendment to grant a ten paid days family and domestic violence leave for employees. In force from 2023, the law will allow the victims to have time to secure themselves from dangerous situations, without losing their salary.

Northern from Australia, the Supreme Court of India has ruled in September that all women have the right to access abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. This expansion of healthcare could decrease unsafe abortions and related deaths, while leading the way to economic equality.

Every step in fundamental to improve the safety of women in every country, to achieve equality, development and peace.

Find out more on this day in UN’s website: https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day