In 1999, the United Nations General Assemble (UN) marked 25th November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Today sees governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) organising events in order to raise public awareness about this global problem.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said today, “Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe.
“On this International Day, I urge governments and partners around the world to harness the energy, ideas and leadership of young people to help us to end this pandemic of violence. Only then will we have a more just, peaceful and equitable world.”
Women’s activists have marked this date as a day against violence since 1981 as it’s the anniversary of the brutal assassination of the three Mirabal sisters in 1960, leaving the fourth sister to tell their story. They were political activists in the Dominican Republic and were killed on the orders of the Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo.
Also, on 20th December 1993, the UN adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Though it is a continuing global issue of importance. The former president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet has released a 16 policy agenda, in the hope of changing this worldwide dilemma, urging countries and individuals to undertake them and end such violence.
Here are a few highlights of what’s happening today:
Over 200 events are being held in Australia to raise awareness, read more here.
Today, in Islamabad the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has acknowledged that violence against women can be both emotional and physical and assured his citizens that the government were dedicated to improving the empowerment of women, read more here.
If you’ve seen BURLEXE, you’ll know that this subject is an issue we feel very strongly about and so today’s agenda is something we’re very keen to support.
More support for the day:
In Lima a woman held a paper dove during a march to mark the day (pictured above).
White Ribbon Campaign – Men working to end violence against women.
Womankind Worldwide – Equal, respected, proud.
The Guardian highlights male violence to raise awareness.
The UK has also called for a clampdown on violence against women in South Sudan from the Sudan Times.
(Image from Stop Violence Against Women)
Check out Lauren Luke Domestic Violence Make Up Tutorial.
Burlexe is a sensational London burlesque show inspired by the women who created the genre and perform the art. It fuses burlesque performance with storytelling, dancing with acting.
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(Main image from Delo)
