Every November 25th, since 2000, the United Nations has called on all member countries to prevent and eliminate different types of abuse against women.
This year, UN Women invites us to unite in the conversation through the hashtag #NoExcuse so that we remember that there are no reasons that justify these aggressions.
Why establish an international day regarding violence against women?
On November 25th, 1960, the sisters Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal were murdered by the dictatorship of the Dominican Republic. That is why this date was chosen to raise our voices and denounce gender violence.
Some facts and figures according to UN Women:
- Every hour more than five women are murdered by a member of their family.
- One of three women suffers sexual or physical violence at least once in her lifetime.
- 86 % of women live in countries that don’t have legal protection systems against gender-based violence.
- Globally, an estimated of 736 million women have been victims of physical or sexual violence by their intimate partner and outside the relationship at least once in their lifetime.
- 15 million adolescent girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have experienced forced sex worldwide.
What are the different types of violence that affect women?
- Sexual abuse
- Infringement
- Human trafficking
- Genital mutilation
- Child marriage
- Abuse or bodily harm
- Feminicide
Additionally, physical violence is not the only violence they confront:
- Economic violence: partners or family members have control over their financial resources, preventing them from accessing it, and prohibiting them from working or attending school.
- Psychological violence: Provoking fear through intimidation or threatening to cause physical harm, subjecting a woman to psychological abuse or forcing her to isolate herself from her friends.
- Emotional violence: Diminishing a person’s self-esteem through constant criticism and insults, as well as undervaluing her capabilities and subjecting her to other types of verbal abuse.
- Digital violence: This includes threats or intimidation through social networks with explicit or sexual content without their consent, as well as the publication and dissemination of private or intimate material.
How can we confront this violence? In this video UN Women explains how.
How can women report the abuse to which they are subjected?
Treaty Bodies: Report human rights violations, including gender-based violence, to the bodies that govern the different humanitarian treaties. In this link you will find the format and an orientation guide.
High Commissioner for Human Rights: If you live in a member country of the United Nations, you are likely to find an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. There you can file a complaint about gender-based violence.
UN Women: You can contact the different regional offices of UN Women to file complaints. Here you will find the contact channels.
Get to know three stories of violence against women
Remember that there are #NoExcuse for violence against women.
Raise your voice for the elimination of gender-based violence through your social networks using this hashtag!
Sources:
UN Women
United Nations Human Rights Council
