International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - November 25

➡️ International Day for the ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - November 25

Officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, this day seeks to raise awareness of gender-based violence around the world and eradicate it, for good. It is a sombre reminder of the scale of the issue, the urgency for systematic change, and the need to accelerate action towards gender equality.

"One woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by their intimate partner or family member" - UN Women

Jump straight to our resources on ➡️ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Violence Against Women

• ➡️ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Nov 25 – Dec 10

• Domestic Violence

• Femicide

• Women's Rights

• Gender Equality

• One Billion Rising

• Women as Victims of War

• Trafficking of Women & Girls

Globally, 1 in 3 women have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence. In fragile countries with weak institutions, in economic crisis, or with large numbers of refugees, the numbers are even higher. The increasing prevalence of war and the severity of the climate crisis have exacerbated the problem, as displacement, resource scarcity, and the disruption of services increase the risk of violence.

The date November 25 was chosen to honour the plight of the Mirabal sisters, three political activists and revolutionaries from the Dominican Republic. They led the resistance movement against dictator Rafael Trujillo and were brutally assassinated in 1960. Their deaths turned them into symbols of democratic and feminist resistance and eventually helped to topple the brutal leader.

International Protections for Women

Despite the existence of more than 1,500 legislative measures across 193 countries to address violence against women, it is still a major public health problem and a serious violation of women's rights.

International declarations outline the rights women have to life, security, and their right to be free from discrimination and torture. This legislation has helped countries develop their own national policies, update and improve their laws, and establish a legal framework for gender equality.

• 1979 - The Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

Known as the International Bill of Women's Rights, this UN treaty defined for the first time what discrimination against women actually is. It then created an agenda to put an end to it. It has been ratified by 189 states that have committed to ending all forms of discrimination against women.

• 1993 - Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (Resolution 48/104)

Adopted by the UN General Assembly to recognise the urgent need for the universal application of rights for women. It recognised violence against women as a human rights violation and was the first international instrument to address this issue. It provided the first-ever framework for national and global action.

• 1995 – Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

The most progressive blueprint to date for advancing women's rights. It identified key areas in need of urgent attention and provided the roadmap for gender equality in all areas of life. More than 95% of institutional mechanisms for domestic and intimate partner violence were established after its creation.

• 2008 - UNiTE to End Violence against Women

Not a protection as such, but a global campaign managed by UN Women to catalyse governments, civil society, women's organisations, the private sector, and the media to join forces to end the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

• 2014 - Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence

This landmark treaty on a pan-European level aims to protect women against all forms of violence. The convention also established a dedicated monitoring system (GREVIO) to ensure the effective implementation by parties.

Violence Against Women – An Epidemic

• More than 370 million women and girls have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18. When non-physical forms of sexual violence, such as online or verbal abuse, are included, the number almost doubles.

• Out of all female homicides 60% are committed by intimate partners or family members.

• Less than 40% of women who fall victim to violence seek help of any kind.

• In 2022, only 14% of all women and girls lived in countries with robust legal protections that guarantee their fundamental human rights.

• More than 60% of countries still lack rape laws based on the principle of consent.

• Women with disabilities report a higher rate of all forms of intimate partner violence than women without.

• Ninety-one per cent of trafficking victims for sexual exploitation are females.

• In Egypt, an estimated 500,000 working days are lost each year due to marital violence.

• Across the EU, the cost of gender-based violence was estimated at €289 billion a year.

Barriers & Challenges

Progress towards ending gender-based violence is stalling, as is progress towards many of the Sustainable Development Goals, which also affect women deeply.

In many societies, deeply entrenched cultural and societal norms perpetuate gender inequality and normalise violence against women. Traditional gender roles and patriarchal structures hinder change. These factors make it difficult to implement effective policies and interventions, especially when much of the violence is happening behind closed doors, and stigmatisation and fear of retribution prevent survivors from speaking up.

A lack of adequate resources and support systems for survivors, especially in developing nations, prevents women from accessing legal aid, healthcare, and safe housing. With no alternative, women are abandoned in a perpetual cycle, defenceless and voiceless.

Despite the urgency, funding to end violence against women has fallen by 13% between 2018/19 and 2020/21. The failure to address this funding gap is further worsened, as 99% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) never reaches local women's rights organisations.

Countries without legislation on violence against women experience higher rates and poorer outcomes for women. Conflict, climate change, fragility, oppressive leadership, and poverty all hit women the hardest. Countries with the highest levels of violence against women are India, Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen, Nigeria, and the United States of America.

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We must seize every opportunity that the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women brings. Speak up, join protests, raise awareness, and share articles such as this one on social media.

We cannot hope to end the harmful practices and societal norms that perpetuate this epidemic without calling out sexist language, behaviours, and practices. Whether at work, on the street, or at home, we demand a culture of respect, equality, and zero tolerance for sexual violence and harassment.

Educational campaigns on women's rights and access to legal representation, housing, and support are essential if policies to bridge the gender equality gap are to succeed.

"There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable." - Ban Ki-moon

Author: Rachael Mellor 19.11.25, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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