A Grim Reminder

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, observed annually on November 25, is a solemn yet urgent reminder of the pervasive violence faced by women and girls worldwide. Despite decades of advocacy, policy interventions, and awareness campaigns, the grim reality persists: violence against women and girls (VAWG) remains a systemic crisis, obstructing the realization of human rights and gender equality.

The statistics alone are a damning indictment of global inaction. Every day, 140 women and girls are killed by someone within their family. Globally, one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. These figures expose an epidemic that transcends borders, cultures, and socio-economic statuses. Worse, the silent barriers of stigma, shame, and systemic impunity ensure that countless cases remain unreported, hidden in the shadows of society’s indifference.

What exacerbates this crisis is the interplay of emerging global challenges. In conflict zones, sexual violence is wielded as a weapon of war, reducing women to pawns in geopolitical power struggles. Online spaces, once heralded as tools of empowerment, are now rife with harassment and abuse, amplifying misogyny at an alarming scale. Meanwhile, the cascading effects of climate change and economic crises disproportionately affect women, further entrenching gender-based vulnerabilities.

Alarmingly, progress in women’s rights faces an insidious backlash. Legal protections are being eroded in some parts of the world, and women human rights defenders are subjected to harassment and violence. Survivors seeking justice encounter bureaucratic roadblocks, lack of support systems, and societal apathy. These regressive trends underscore a troubling truth: the struggle for a violence-free society for women is far from over.

The United Nations’ initiatives, such as the Spotlight Initiative and the UNiTE by 2030 campaign, call for coordinated action. But mere campaigns, though essential, are insufficient. It is time to move beyond rhetoric and awareness. Governments must prioritize stricter enforcement of existing laws and enact comprehensive legal reforms. Societies must dismantle patriarchal structures that normalize gender-based violence, holding perpetrators accountable at every level. Grassroots organizations and survivor-led movements must be empowered, funded, and integrated into policy-making processes.

The international community must also address the systemic factors enabling VAWG. Investing in education that challenges gender stereotypes, creating economic opportunities for women, and ensuring access to mental health and legal support are critical components of a holistic solution.

Nearly 30 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action set its ambitious goals, the dream of a violence-free world remains a distant reality. The question is no longer about acknowledging the crisis—it is about taking decisive, collective action to end it. Until we do, this day will continue to be a grim reminder of humanity’s failure to protect half its population.