Eliminate Violence Against Women

Up to 70% of Women Experience Violence in Their Lifetime

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Violence against women takes many forms – physical, sexual, psychological and economic. These forms of violence are interrelated and affect women from before birth to old age. Some types of violence, such as trafficking, cross national boundaries. Women who experience violence suffer a range of health problems and their ability to participate in public life is diminished. Violence against women harms families and communities across generations and reinforces other violence prevalent in society. Violence against women also impoverishes women, their families, communities and nations.

Read the UN Secretary-General’s message for the 2013 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women here.