International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women aims to raise awareness about the various forms of gender-based violence and their impact on women and girls worldwide. Officially recognised by the United Nations, it seeks to encourage governments, organisations, and individuals to work together in the fight against violence against women and girls. This annual event highlights the need for concrete action and effective measures to prevent and address violence, promote gender equality, and improve access to support services for survivors.

Established in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was created in memory of the Mirabal sisters – three activists from the Dominican Republic who were assassinated in 1960 for their opposition to their country's repressive regime. For people in New Zealand, this day holds significance as gender-based violence remains a serious issue; according to the Ministry of Justice, over one in three New Zealand women experience physical or sexual violence from a partner at some point in their lives. Addressing this issue requires continued societal, cultural, and policy efforts.

In New Zealand, various organisations and groups, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organisations, actively promote the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. These entities organise public awareness campaigns, community events, and educational programmes to encourage open dialogue and provide information on the available support services. The observance occurs annually on November 25th, initiating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which concludes on December 10th, Human Rights Day. This period serves as a reminder of the essential work needed to eliminate violence against women and girls in New Zealand and around the world.

Facts about violence against women

• The theme for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in 2023 was Bridging the gender digital divide to prevent, address and respond to conflict-related sexual violence
• According to the U.N, it's estimated that 35% of all women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives.
• November 25th has been recognized as a day against gender-based violence since 1981. This date honors the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were mere murdered in 1960 by the country's ruler, Rafael Trujillo.
• In New Zealand, intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most common form of violence against women. About half of all homicides in New Zealand are related to family violence, and a significant majority of those involve intimate partner violence.
• New Zealand Police respond to a family violence incident every four minutes on average. This demonstrates the widespread nature of domestic violence in the country, which often goes unreported.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Top things to do in NZ for this observance

• Explore the U.N's informative Guideline to better understand the inequality women face.
• One of the most common forms of violence is intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence can be committed by a former partner or a spouse and can take place in a public or private space. If you or someone you know has been affected, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
• Watch a movie that will educate you about domestic violence and its effects on women and children. Serve as an inspiration to you to contribute to the cause and do your part in aiding women and families. Some of our recommendations are: Waru (2017),
  Te Whakarauora Tangata (2011), and
  Once Were Warriors (1994).
• Some of the good books you could read to learn more about the Violence against Women in New Zealand are: Family Violence: A Guide for New Zealand Judges by Ruth Busch and Neville Robertson,
  Criminalizing Rape Within Marriage: A New Zealand Perspective by Samara McPhedran, and Not One More: A Māori Woman's Fight Against Violence by Mereana Pitman. These books provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue of violence against women in New Zealand, covering historical, cultural, and legal perspectives.