United Nations(UN)’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is annually observed across the globe on November 25th to create awareness about the violence and abuse against women and girls around the world.
The day aims to prevent and respond to violence against women and to educate people on the basic human rights of women and gender equality.
The global theme of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2021 is “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now!”.
The global theme 2021 is set by the UNiTE Campaign 2021.
- The colour orange represents a bright future free of violence against women and girls.
- Iconic buildings and landmarks across the globe will be ‘oranged’ to highlight the need for a violence-free future.
UNiTE Campaign 2021:
i.To mark the observance of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the UN launched UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women Campaign (UNiTE Campaign).
Aim:
- To prevent and eliminate the violence against women and girls across the globe.
- Calls for a global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions.
ii.The UNiTE Campaign is a multi-year effort launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2008.
iii.Since 2008, the campaign has been led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women.
16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence:
Every year, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women launches the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign, which kickstarts on November 25 and concludes on 10 December, the day which marks the commemoration of International Human Rights Day.
New UN Women report:
i.UN Women launched a new report titled “Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women during COVID-19” prepared based on the survey data from 13 countries.
ii.The report states that 1 in 2 women has experienced a form of violence since the COVID-19 pandemic.
iii.The report also states that 1 in 4 women are feeling less safe at home while existing conflict has increased within households since the pandemic.
Background:
i.Women’s rights activists have been observing the 25 November as a day against gender-based violence since 1981.
ii.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA)’s resolution A/RES/54/134 of 17th December 1999, proclaimed the 25th November of every year as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
iii.The first-ever International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was observed on 25th November 2000.
Why November 25?
25th November was chosen to honour the Mirabal sisters (Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa), three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo
UN’s Effort to prevent VAWG:
i.In 1979, the UNGA adopted the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
ii.In 1993, the UN adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women which facilitates eradicating VAWG.
iii.The UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women only global grant-making mechanism dedicated to ending and preventing all forms of violence against women.
About UN Women:
UN Women is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Executive Director– Sima Sami Bahous
Headquarters– New York City, United States of America
