November 25 marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

CAIRO – 25 November 2021: Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today.

Unfortunately, this issue remains largely unspoken of because of the impunity, silence and stigma surrounding it.

In general, violence manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms and includes:

- Intimate partner violence (beating, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide.)

- Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual harassment, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber harassment.)

- Human trafficking (slavery and sexual exploitation.)

- Female genital mutilation.

- Child marriage.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women coincides with the launch of the “UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women” campaign (November 25 - December 10).

UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women is a 16-day activism initiative that concludes on the day commemorating International Human Rights Day (December 10).

The campaign, which has been spearheaded by the United Nations Secretary-General and UN Women since 2008, aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide.

It calls for global action to raise awareness and promote advocacy for that goal and to provide opportunities to discuss challenges and solutions.