The Mirabal Sisters were political activists whose deaths in 1960 were commemorated with the establishment of The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Global movement calls for unity on ending gender-based violence
Nov 24, 202316 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November to 10 December 2023)
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign starting on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and continuing until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
The Mid North Coast Local Health District is publishing a series of articles to raise awareness of domestic and family violence as part of its Working to Stop Violence Strategy.
16 Days of Activism
Saturday 25 November 2023 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and marks day one of the 16 Days of Activism.
Each year, from 25 November to 10 December, World Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women.
During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world unite to raise awareness about gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to end violence against women for good.
How did the 16 Days of Activism come about?
On 25 November 1960, sisters Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal, three political activists who actively opposed the cruelty and systematic violence of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, were clubbed to death and dumped at the bottom of a cliff by Trujillo’s secret police.
The Mirabal sisters became symbols of the feminist resistance, and in commemoration of their deaths 25 November was declared International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Latin America in 1980. This international day was formally recognised by the United Nations in 1999.
In June 1991, the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL), alongside participants of the first Women’s Global Institute on Women, Violence and Human Rights, called for a global campaign of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The 16 days begins with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends with International Human Rights Day on 10 December– highlighting that violence against women is a fundamental violation of human rights.
Let’s Orange the World!
The 2023 Theme for 16 Days of Activism is “Unite! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”.
On 25 November, everyone is encouraged to wear orange in solidarity with the global community who are working together to stop gender-based violence. You may see global monuments light up in the colour orange as well. United Nations Women’s Head Quarters explains the link between gender-based violence and the colour orange- “As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls”.
Let’s work together to stop gender-based violence!