International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025: Taking Action to End Gender-Based Violence
Observed annually on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women aims to raise awareness of the widespread issue of violence against women globally. Declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 (Resolution 54/134), the day seeks to shed light on the true scale of violence faced by women, including rape, domestic abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence, and to promote actions that prevent and eliminate these abuses.
Origins and History
The observance of November 25 as a day to combat violence against women is rooted in the 1960 assassination of the Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic. This tragic event, which highlighted the brutality of gender-based violence, was officially commemorated by the UN in 1999. In 1981, activists from Latin America and the Caribbean began recognizing this day to address broader issues of violence against women.
Connection to the Sustainable Development Goals
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to promote gender equality and empower women:
SDG 5: Gender Equality – Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by eliminating all forms of violence and harmful practices.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Addressing discrimination and disparities to ensure equality and inclusion for all women and girls.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Promoting peaceful societies, access to justice, and institutions that protect women’s rights.
Global Participation and Activism
The day encourages global participation through events, discussions, and initiatives. For instance, Australia has created campaigns to align with the observance, while the Philippines has extended its activism from November 25 to December 12, linking it to Anti-Trafficking in Persons Day. In 2017 and 2018, marches took place worldwide—from Rome to Bogota and Istanbul—to demand an end to violence against women. In Italy, data revealed that more than 49,000 women sought help from anti-violence centers, emphasizing the ongoing need for support and advocacy.
The day also marks the beginning of the "16 Days of Activism," which concludes on Human Rights Day on December 10. An additional movement, known as Roses Revolution Day, sees women around the world place roses at hospitals to protest against obstetric violence experienced during childbirth.
How to Participate in 2025
On November 25, 2025, communities, governments, and organizations are encouraged to take part in events, social media campaigns, and educational activities that advocate for the elimination of violence against women. Join in to amplify the voices of survivors, support policy change, and promote a world where women and girls live free from violence.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Themes
| Year | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Orange your Neighbourhood | This theme, part of the UN Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, aimed to raise awareness by "oranging" neighborhoods as a symbol of a brighter future free from violence against women. |
| 2018 | Orange the World: #HearMeToo | Focused on listening to survivors and activists, this theme aimed to galvanize global action to end violence against women and amplify their voices to be heard and acknowledged. |
| 2019 | Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape | This theme highlighted the global issue of rape and called for generational solidarity and equality to stand against and end this form of violence. |
| 2020 | Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect! | This theme focused on actionable steps to address violence against women by advocating for funding, responses to crises, prevention of violence, and data collection to understand the scale of the issue. |
| 2021 | Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now! | The theme emphasized the urgency of ending violence against women immediately, calling for global action and solidarity to address the issue. |
| 2022 | UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls | This theme encouraged activism and collective action to end violence against women and girls, promoting solidarity with survivors and advocates. |
| 2023 | UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls! #NoExcuse | Focused on the need for investment in prevention efforts to stop violence before it occurs, this theme stressed that there is no excuse for violence against women and girls. |
| 2024 | Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women | This theme draws attention to the alarming increase in violence against women and girls, emphasizing that every 10 minutes a woman is killed by violence. The UNiTE campaign from November 25 to December 10 calls for action, accountability, improved legislation, investments in women's organizations, and support for survivors. |
