Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world that remains to be reported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame that surrounds it. From this premise of the United Nations , the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was born, celebrated since 2009 to mobilize all of society to put an end to violence against women.
According to the United Nations, this type of violence, which manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, includes: intimate partner violence (mistreatment, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide); sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyberbullying); human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation); female genital mutilation and child marriage.
A violence without borders
Domestic violence against women is a growing phenomenon that knows no geographical limits, age limits or color, and affects all types of family relationships and social classes. Statistics show that 12-15% of women in Europe face domestic violence every day. It is one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world and must be combated.
Since the 1990s, the Council of Europe has actively promoted the protection of women and girls against gender-based violence, namely by adopting Recommendation (2002) 5 on the protection of women against violence and by organizing a campaign at European level on violence against women, including domestic violence in 2006-2008.
The Council of Europe Convention to Prevent and Combat Violence against Women and Domestic Violence is the most far-reaching international treaty to address this serious violation of human rights. It aims for zero tolerance for such violence and is a huge step forward in making Europe and beyond a safer place.
Preventing violence, protecting its victims and prosecuting perpetrators are the pillars of the convention. It also seeks to change people’s hearts and minds by inviting all members of society, particularly men and boys, to change their attitude . In essence, it is a call for greater equality between women and men, because violence against women is deeply rooted in the inequality between women and men in society and is perpetuated by a culture of tolerance and denial.
However, prevention is possible.
That is why eliminating violence against women and girls, and eradicating prejudice and discrimination on the basis of gender, are imperatives to which all countries must collectively give a high priority.
Commemorative events
This day various activities are organized around the world to draw attention to the need to continue with action to eliminate violence against women , projects so that women and their children can escape violence and campaigns to educate people on the consequences of violence against women. At the local level, they hold rallies, community meals, fundraising activities, and present research on violence against women in their own communities.
