International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Thursday 25th November 2010
Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime - with the abuser usually someone known to her.
World Health Organization
16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
Governments, international organizations and NGOs are invited to organize activities on the day to raise public awareness of the problem. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women also launches the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, which runs from Thursday 25th November through Friday 10 December, Human Rights Day.
Theme Announcement 2010
Combat violence against women
Domestic violence against women is a rising phenomenon that knows no geographical boundary, age limit or colour bar, and affects every type of family relationship and social class. Statistics show that 12% to 15% of women in Europe face violence in the home every day. It is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide, and must be combated.
From 2006 to 2008, the Council of Europe, as an organisation defending human rights in Europe, has carried out a campaign in its member states to criminalise domestic violence. Domestic violence is a violation of human rights and it deprives women of their ability to exercise the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights.
The intergovernmental, parliamentary and local and regional entities of the Council of Europe have joined together to launch different initiatives aimed at combating domestic violence at every level.
On the occasion of the 7th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Equality between Women and Men, in February 2010 in Baku (Azerbaijan), the ministers called for the finalisation and adoption of a Council of Europe convention to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence.
Council of Europe |