The United Nations (UN) marks November 25th every year as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a crucial initiative to raise awareness about gender-based violence. The theme for 2019 was titled “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape.” This date was chosen to honour the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the country’s dictator, Rafael Trujillo. The day also signals the beginning of 16 days of activism which conclude on December 10th, International Human Rights Day.
UNiTE Campaign and Its Focus for 2020-2022
The campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, spearheaded by the UN Secretary-General, will concentrate on addressing rapes committed against women in both peace and wartime from 2020 to 2022.
Global Scenario of Violence Against Women
One in three women and girls globally suffer physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Shockingly, 50% of women killed all over the world were killed by their partners or family in 2017; meanwhile, only 5% of men killed were under equivalent circumstances. Furthermore, only 52% of married women have freedom in deciding about sexual relationships, contraceptive use, and healthcare. The gravest fact is that 71% of human trafficking victims are female, with three-quarters of these women being sexually exploited.
Violence Against Women in India
In India, a staggering 3.59 lakh cases of violence against women were reported in 2017, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of such crimes, while Madhya Pradesh reported the maximum number of rape cases nationwide. Conversely, the states with the least registered crimes against women are Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Global Conventions Against Violence Towards Women
The Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 to combat violence directed at women and girls worldwide. The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, issued in 1993 by the UN General Assembly, elucidates that violence against women is “any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm including threats of such acts, deprivation of liberty, etc. occurring in public or in private life.” Moreover, the Sustainable Development Goal 5 aims for global gender equality by 2030.
| Global Convention | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| CEDAW | 1979 | Prevent violence against women and girls worldwide |
| Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women | 1993 | Defines violence against women and aims at its prevention. |
Measures Taken by the Indian Government Against Violence
In addition to these international agreements, the Indian government has implemented several safeguards and legislations to secure women’s rights and suppress gender-based discrimination. These include several Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policies (DPSP), Fundamental Duties, and specific laws such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. Each of these statutes aims to ensure a safe, respectful, and equitable environment for all women.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024