Violence and Women

"We need to do more to enforce laws and counter impunity. We need to combat attitudes and behaviour that condone, tolerate, excuse or ignore violence committed against women. And we need to increase funding for services for victims and survivors. I am determined to strengthen these efforts (..)”

Message of the Secretary-General on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
New York, 25 November 2008

With these word, the Secretary-General of the United Nations urged people to stand up against violence against women, one of the most heinous, systematic and prevalent human rights abuses in the world. At least one out of every three women is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

Violence against women can be defined as “any action or conduct based on gender, which leads to death, harm or suffering of the women, either physically, sexually or psychologically, in private or public life” according to the Convenção Interamericana para Prevenir, Punir e Erradicar a Violência Contra a Mulher- 1994 (Inter-American Convention for Preventing, Punishing and Erradicating Violence against Women).

Besides being a violation of human rights, violence against women is a public health issue, as stated by WHO (World Health Organization) because its consequences are so severe that they encompass not only the personal health and happiness of individual women, but they end up affecting whole communities.

One of the main cause is the fact that women are still seen as inferior and fragile beings by men, be it their husbands, boyfriend, father, brother or boss, who believe to have the right of imposing their will. According to “Portal da Violência contra Mulher” (Portal of Violence Against Women- Brazil) “Although many times alcohol and drug abuse, or jealousy are indicated as the trigger for violence against women, at the root of all this is the way society values the male role, which reflects on the way boys and girls are educated.” In order to fight this mentality, the best way is raising people’s awareness.

16 Days to Eradicate Violence against Women

The UN General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in December 1999, although it had already been observed as such by women’s rights movements around the globe since 1981. This date was chosen in memory of the Mirabel sister, from Dominican Republic, who were brutally assassinated because of their opposition to the dictatorial regimen of Rafael Trujillo, in 1960.

The campaign to eradicate violence against women lasts for 16 days and it encompasses important observance days: November 25 (International Day against Violence against Women); November 29 (International Women Human Rights Defenders Day); December 1(World AIDS Day); and December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

During this period, many activities are carried out, such as press conferences, film screenings, workshops, seminars, demonstrations, and vigils, among several others, in order to raise public awareness to the causes and consequences of violence against women and encourage the victims to come forward and denounce their aggressors.

Several manifestations are taking place right now, around the globe, en prol of this worthy cause which is Paramount to the achievement of world peace, because peace must start within our home.

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