International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women is an occasion for governments, international
organizations and non-governmental organizations to raise public
awareness of violence against women. It has been observed on November 25
each year since 2000.
Background
On November 25, 1960, three sisters, Patria Mercedes Mirabal, María
Argentina Minerva Mirabal and Antonia María Teresa Mirabal, were
assassinated in the Dominican Republic on the orders of the Dominican
ruler Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabel sisters fought hard to end Trujillo's
dictatorship. Activists on women's rights have observed a day against
violence on the anniversary of the deaths of these three women since
1981.
On December 17, 1999, November 25 was designated as the International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by the UN General
Assembly. Each year observances around the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women concentrate on a particular theme,
such as “Demanding Implementation, Challenging Obstacles” (2008).What do people do?
Various activities are arranged around the world to draw attention to the need for continuing action to eliminate violence against women, projects to enable women and their children to escape violence and campaigns to educate people about the consequences of violence against women. Locally, women's groups may organize rallies, communal meals, fundraising activities and present research on violence against women in their own communities.An ongoing campaign that people are encouraged to participate in, especially around this time of the year when awareness levels for the day are high, is the “Say NO to Violence Against Women campaign”. Through the campaign, anyone can add their name to a growing movement of people who speak out to put a halt to human rights violations against women.
PROPOSED THEME
ReplyDeleteIn every country, women and girls suffer from widespread and multiple forms of violence. It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, during conflict and in time of peace. It manifests itself in its most prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence. But it also takes the forms of female infanticide in the preference for boys, child marriage, female genital mutilation, “honour” killings and other forms of feminicide.
This violence prevents women and girls around the world to live in dignity, violates their fundamental human rights and impedes them from achieving their full potential. It is one of the most potent obstacles to the advancement of women, has social and economic costs and seriously jeopardizes the progress and prosperity of the world.
Adopting strong laws, backed by implementation and services for protection and prevention, is vital to guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of women and girls, most notably their right to security and to a life free of violence. In this endeavour, parliaments and parliamentarians can make a critical difference through their legislative power.
Parliaments are also crucial to monitoring the enforcement of existing laws. In a democracy, a successful law has to be correctly enforced. Parliamentarians can use their position to bring on board the police, prosecutors, judges, health care providers, social workers, religious leaders, etc. on this issue. Successful implementation also lies in society’s awareness of violence against women. The ability of parliamentarians to shape public opinion, sensitize and engage the wider public in an open debate on changing social norms and discriminating attitudes is essential.
In recent years, more and more parliaments across the world are taking concrete steps to tackle violence against women and girls. This mobilization must continue and be more visible. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November) is an opportunity to focus on this issue. The IPU encourages parliaments across the world to take firm action on legal reforms on violence against women and use their parliamentary oversight to ensure implementation.
PROPOSED ACTIVITIES
ReplyDeleteOf the many possibilities, parliaments are encouraged to organize at least one of the following activities:
Consult and engage key stakeholders on the creation or revision of specific legislation on violence against women and girls;
Assess how violence against women is addressed within the national legal framework in order to identify gaps;
Request and analyse the latest national data on violence against women to inform legislative and policy change;
Hold consultations and public hearings with key stakeholders such as law enforcers, social services, civil society, on progress made and difficulties encountered in enforcing the laws;
Question the government to account on its responsibility, policies and plans of action on tackling violence against women;
Allocate adequate budgets to enforce laws and implement programmes;
Address conflict related sexual violence by ensuring legislative and judicial means of ending impunity towards sexual violence in conflict and post conflict;
Mobilize the media through press conferences, radio and television shows, etc.