International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2016 observed across the world

The 2016 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was observed across the world on 25 November 2016. The theme for the day was “Orange the World - raise funds to end violence against women”.

The colour orange in the theme symbolizes a better future without the pervasive human rights violation that affects 1 in 3 women and girls all over the globe.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed to raise awareness about violence against women and discuss solutions that would work for women community.

The United Nations (UN) designated the day because:

• Violence against women is a human rights violation
• Violence against women is a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women
• Violence against women impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security
• Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential
• Violence against women continues to be a global pandemic

Background

• The United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women through a resolution 54/134 of 17 December 1999.

• Women's activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981.

• The date came from the brutal assassination in 1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo.

• On 20 December 1993, the General Assembly, by resolution 48/104, adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.