International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November)
Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Now begins the 16 Days of Activism, which ends on the 10th of December with Human Rights Day.
The background of the commemoration day is the sad story of the three Mirabal sisters. Since 1981, the anniversary of their deaths has been used to draw attention to violence against women and injustice in the world. Since 1999, November 25 has also been recognized by the United Nations as an official international day of remembrance.
The three Mirabal Sisters actively opposed the cruel and systematical violence of Rafael Trujillo’s reign, and led an underground movement to challenge his regime. On the 25th of November 1960, Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa were clubbed to death by individuals sent by Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabal Sisters have left a lasting impression on women today. They demonstrated the importance of speaking up against repression and speaking out ending violence against Women. They are role models when it comes to raising their voices and speaking out about injustices in the world. Every woman has a right to a life without fear.
Violence against women is still prevalent all over the world
Many women experience different forms of violence during their life at work, at home, at school etc…- just because they are women. Gender-based violence affects women and girls of all ages over the world. It can be physical, sexual or psychological, or a combination of all these forms.
In European Union 1 in 3 women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence (at least once since she was 15). About 55% of women have been sexually harassed in EU (unwelcome touching, hugging or kissing, sexually suggestive comments or jokes that offended; receiving unwanted sexually explicit messages) and 5 % of women have been raped.
Women often cannot recover and do not feel safe throughout their lives after the violence they have experienced. They won’t be able to enjoy their freedom, build health relationships up and live their lives as they wished.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, new data has shown that all types of violence against women and girls has grown. Even trafficking of women and girls has been growing during COVID-19. The pandemic has left behind vulnerable people more vulnerable, and traffickers take advantages of the social and economic crisis.
There are more then 14,000 victims of human trafficking reported in Europe in a year, and 73% of them are women for sexual exploitation.
How to recognize enforced prostitutes?
-they are not allowed to refuse Clients, and they fulfill all their wishes
-don’t take the earned money themselves
-work in locked rooms
-very anxious and shy behavior, avoids eye contact
-no knowledge of the language, afraid to speak
-addiction issues (alcoholized, drugged),and hardly shows any reactions
Men who have been visiting these women have created the problem, but if they give a little more attention and do not see them only as a sex object, they can help and also solve the problem. Try to be informed as well as you can to be sure that you really support a woman and not a criminal group.
If you, as a client may suspect that the woman is not doing it freely, you have the possibility to report it in an anonimous way. You may be the only one who has a contact with this woman in need.
Remember, silence allows violence…
Best,
Chloé♥