November 25th: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. According to a 2013 WHO global study, 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence. However, some national studies show that up to 70 per cent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime from an intimate partner.
To raise awareness and trigger action to end this global scourge, the UN observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November. The date marks the brutal assassination in 1960 of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic.
The women known as “the Mirabal sisters” were Patricia, Maria and Minerva. They gave their lives resisting the dictatorship of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. On November 25th, 1960, they were tortured and executed by the regime’s henchmen on Trujillo’s orders. To read more about their lives and histories, check this site.
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