Since 1981 Women’s rights activists have observed 25 November as a day against gender-based violence.
This date was selected to honour the Mirabal sisters who were three political activists from the Dominican Republic. They were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s ruler, Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).
In 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women through resolution 48/104.
On 7 February 2000, the General Assembly adopted a resolution officially designating 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
On a global scale, the situation of women is precarious in many ways. Pre-birth violence on girl children, aborting female foetus, domestic violence, societal violence, bias against women, preferance for male children, killing women accused of being witches etc. are getting reported daily.
So far only three countries are reported to have outlawed domestic violence.
It is also reported that 37 countries across the globe still exempt prosecution of rape perpetrators if they marry their rape victims.
Orange Day sends out a call to activists, national leaders, legislators, governments, U N partners, educational institutions etc. to play an active role in the elimination of violence against women.
Note: Sex determination procedure in India is a criminal offence. Clinics, hospitals and Health Centres are to display the information.