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 is dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence of violence against women and girls and the measures needed to combat it. Established by the United Nations, this global occasion highlights the various forms of violence women face, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. It advocates for prevention, protection, and provision of services for survivors, as well as the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable.

The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 in memory of the brutal assassination of three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on November 25, 1960. In Canada, the significance of this day may be felt by many, considering the country's alarming rates of violence against females. According to a 2020 Statistics Canada report, around one in three females have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner since the age of 15. This distressing statistic highlights the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Canada, as it reminds Canadians of the urgent need for collective efforts to address gender-based violence.

In Canada, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed through events, campaigns, and various initiatives designed to raise awareness and promote change. The government sets up programs like the National Strategy to Address Gender-Based Violence, aiming to prevent violence, support survivors and their families, enforce legal and justice systems to hold perpetrators accountable, and promote responsive and inclusive research. The observance takes place on November 25, providing a crucial opportunity for Canadians to collectively work towards creating a safer and more inclusive society for all women and girls.

Facts about violence against women

• The theme for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in 2025 was For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.
  In 2024 the theme was Towards 30 years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls. It underscored the approaching 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, established in 1995 to advance women's rights. 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.
• It is widely recognized that violence against women is underreported in Canada, with as few as 1 in 20 sexual assaults reported to the police.
• Intimate partner violence accounts for approximately 26% of all reported violent crime in Canada.

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

Top things to do in Canada 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.
• Empower women by organizing self-defense classes or workshops focused on personal safety and empowerment. Invite professional instructors to teach basic self-defense techniques and provide information on available resources.
• Consider donating funds or volunteering your time to local women's organizations or shelters that provide support, resources, and safe spaces for survivors of violence.