Eliminate Gender Violence

The United Nations 16 days of activism begins on 25th November and was declared to pay tribute to three sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal, as well as global recognition of gender violence.

Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa were born and educated in the Dominican Republic. All three sisters and their husbands were constantly persecuted for their outspoken and clandestine activities against the Trujillo regime.

In early November 1960, Trujillo declared that his two problems were the Church and the Mirabal sisters. On 25 November 1960, the sisters were assassinated in an “accident” as they were being driven to visit their husbands who were in prison. The brutal assassination of the three women caused much public outcry, and shocked and enraged the nation.

The memory of the Mirabal sisters and their struggle for freedom and respect for human rights for all has transformed them into symbols of dignity and inspiration in the Dominican Republic and around the world.

ACRATH developed resources for the 16 Days of Activism campaign can be accessed here.

(Image: https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day)