What is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women?

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is an annual event recognising the importance of eliminating threats to girls and women worldwide. The day is an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to women and girls, and to increase knowledge of and advocacy against violence against women all over the world.

The United Nations states that nearly 1 in 3 women have been abused in their lifetime, with numbers rising during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. While this violence is widespread, it is not inevitable. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women provides an opportunity to highlight the fact that violence can and must be prevented.

When is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women?

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2022 is Friday, 25 November. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence is actually the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, which end with International Human Rights Day on the 10th of December.

Why is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women honoured?

The date for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women was set into stone by the United Nations in 2000. The UN chose the date of 25 November because this date also marked the date of the assassination of the three Mirabal sisters in 1960 and was already a popular day for raising awareness of violence against women and children.

The United Nations and General Assembly continue to honour International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. They invite international organisations and governments alike to raise awareness of the issues that affect women and girls today and take action. 

Gender rights have certainly advanced, with the General Assembly’s resolution 48/104 setting a roadmap for a gender violence-free world. But with 49 countries having zero laws against protecting women from domestic violence and 37 countries still making rape perpetrators exempt from prosecution if they are married to the victim, much more still needs to be done. 

What is the theme of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2022?

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women has had many themes in the past. In 2014, for example, the focus was on how violence cut through all 12 critical areas of the Beijing Declaration, while the 2019 United Nations campaign motto was “I am no longer myself”, led by the actress Melania Dalla Costa. In 2021, the theme was “Orange the world: end violence against women now!”.

And this year is no different. The 2022 global theme for International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”. UNiTE is the name of the United Nations Secretary-General’s campaign against violence against women and children.

Launched in 2008, this campaign aims to eliminate global violence against women by 2030. This year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women aims to draw attention to the Say No-UNiTE campaign. 

How can I support International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2022?

There are many ways that you can support International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2022 and help to raise awareness of the most critical issues women face globally.

Here we outline a few ideas:

Donate to our ‘Stop Violence’ Appeal

Women and children are suffering from family violence throughout the Pacific Islands. Though the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily brought increased attention to people facing family violence, these children and women now have nowhere to go for safety. Especially in Papua New Guinea, a high rate of violence against women and children is a threat.

You can help by donating to our ‘Stop Violence’ Appeal. When you give to our appeal, you can provide survivors of domestic violence with the safe accommodation they need, train frontline protection workers and support domestic violence crisis helplines.

Host a morning tea

You can take the time to discuss the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with your co-workers by setting up a morning tea fundraiser in the office. In addition, suggest a coin donation from staff members, with the proceeds from this going to one of our current appeals to support work for children and women.

Together we can empower women and girls all over the world to access the care and support they need this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Create a Facebook fundraiser

Did you know that you can fundraise on Facebook for ChildFund Australia? By setting up your fundraiser, you can invite family and friends to donate to our ‘Stop Violence’ appeal. Help to support the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on a smaller scale by creating your fundraiser now.