Surjit Singh Flora
Violence impacts women across all ages, abilities, classes, and backgrounds without exception. It’s truly shocking that 1 in 3 women around the globe will face violence at some point in their lives. Over 1 billion women and girls are confronting the harsh realities of physical or sexual abuse.
Violence against women continues to be a significant issue in every country, not just in Canada. Canada is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, with immigrants coming from all corners of the globe. However, alongside their diverse backgrounds, some individuals may also introduce challenging behaviors and criminal mindsets, which can be linked to male ego.
Indeed, it has frequently been regarded as commonplace, and the worldwide culture of discrimination against women enables violence to happen without consequence.
Advocating for women’s rights and standing against abuses is a vital responsibility that human rights organizations should embrace daily. From advocating for better laws and services to collaborating with communities to shift discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, organizations and individuals are passionately engaged worldwide in addressing and preventing violence against women.
On November 25, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly made a groundbreaking decision to combat violence against women by declaring this date as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This significant day encompasses “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
This definition is crucial as it illuminates some of the previously ambiguous aspects regarding violence.
Patriarchy has created an environment where the abuse and violation of women, particularly in private spaces, is perceived as commonplace.
Numerous women have shared their experiences of enduring marital rape and various forms of domestic violence in silence, as these issues were often viewed as personal or private matters between partners.
Women workers have faced sexual harassment in the workplace but often remain silent, fearing they will be labeled as liars or that the situation will be turned against them.
Women’s rights advocates share the incredible journey they’ve undertaken in their fight to prosecute domestic violence and sexual violence against women, often occurring in the private sphere.
The United Nations General Assembly resolution was proposed by the Dominican Republic, as this date celebrates the 1960 murder of three Dominican sisters-Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa Mirabal-whose bravery and sacrifice ignited a powerful movement. The story unfolds on November 25, 1960, when three remarkable sisters, the Mirabal sisters, faced a tragic fate at the hands of the secret police under the regime of Rafael Trujillo, the dictator of the Dominican Republic. The sisters stood out as courageous political dissidents, bravely opposing Trujillo’s oppressive regime, notorious for its severe human rights violations, including the tragic massacre of thousands of Haitians. On that unforgettable day, the sisters were on their way to see their two imprisoned husbands when their car was suddenly halted by the Dominican secret police.
In a calculated move, they were brutally killed, and their bodies were returned to the car, which was then shoved over a cliff to mask the murders as a tragic accident.
However, the cover-up was unsuccessful. The sisters’ deaths ignited a powerful movement for the Dominican resistance, leading to Trujillo’s assassination within a year. The Mirabal sisters, affectionately referred to as “Las Mariposas” or “The Butterflies,” have ignited a wave of inspiration with their remarkable courage. Their martyrdom captured global attention, shining a light on the brutality of Trujillo’s regime. In the decades that followed, their story emerged as a powerful emblem of defiance and the urgent call to fight against violence towards women. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to safeguard women and girls all around the world.
The day champions robust legislation, bolsters women’s organisations, enhances training for law enforcement, and uplifts survivors.
(The writer is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton, Canada).