25 Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

November the 25th is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. It was started by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. The UN asked governments, international organizations and NGOs to raise global awareness of this terrible and widespread problem. This is particularly important in the many countries where the issue of violence against women is hidden. Women all over the world are the victims of domestic violence, rape, psychological torment and other forms of abuse. There is no country in which women are free from violence. The UN said violence against women is a barrier to achieving equality, human rights, development and peace.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is observed on November 25 because of a horrific historical event. On this day in 1960, three sisters were brutally killed in the Dominican Republic. The Mirabal sisters were political activists. They campaigned against the corrupt government of that time. Throughout their political activity, the women and their husbands were put in prison and beaten many times. This did not dampen their desire for political change. President and dictator Rafael Trujillo ordered their execution. The sisters became known as the "Unforgettable Butterflies". They symbolized the victimization of women and were commemorated in novels, poems, songs and books.