25 November is a red-letter day for women's-rights activists the world over. It marks the day in 1960 when the Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated during the Trujillo dictatorship.
Every year, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women we can all pay tribute to the Mirabal sisters - and make the world aware of this global pandemic.
Ceri Hayes, WOMANKIND's Senior Programmes and Policy Manager said: 'This Day really is significant. It reminds us that violence against women, regardless of class, race, ethnicity or culture, continues to be the reality of many women?s lives today.
'The scale and impact is shocking - violence remains as serious a cause of death and incapacity among women of reproductive age as cancer - and a greater cause of ill-health than traffic accidents and malaria combined.'
What's going on?
November 25 is also the launch of '16 Days of Activism'. WOMANKIND's partners in South America, Africa, and South Asia are at the forefront of national and community rallies, demonstrations and celebrations.
WOMANKIND partners' 16 days of activism
- In the centre of Lima, members of the Colectivo 25 de Noviembre will gather to demand that the Government meets the targets of its National Plan to Eradicate Violence against Women.
- Zimbabwean partners are stepping up their Zero Tolerance to Violence against Women campaign with nine roadshows and a huge event in Harare where women can get legal and other advice.
- Irula women and men in Tamil Nadu are organising street plays in which women will insist on their rights.
- South Africa activists are taking their 'Stop the Bus' anti-rape tour to towns and villages throughout the Western Cape.
As Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General, stated this week: 'Violence against women is always a violation of human rights; it is always a crime; and it is always unacceptable. Let us take this issue with the deadly seriousness that it deserves -- not only on this International Day, but every day.'
