This year marks the 25th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s designation of November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women,
In 2025, the global community will mark: a series of anniversaries of global actions to promote gender equality and human rights for all, including
-the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 2025 – a visionary blueprint for achieving gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights everywhere which covers 12 key areas of action and still relevant 30 years on,
-the 25th Anniversary of Resolution 1325 on women’s equal and meaningful participation in Peace and Security
-the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals, in which gender equality cuts across all 17 goals.
There is a plethora of legal texts to protect women’s rights.
And yet, violence against women/girls, which is the 4th area for action in the Beijing Platform for Action, is one of the most widespread violations of rights in the world. It has intensified over time in different contexts to become a crisis. When will this crisis end?
– when nearly one in three women experience violence in their lifetime. Girls are at particular risk of violence—1 in 4 adolescent girls is abused by their partners.
– when, 1 in 8 – experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18, according to new UNICEF estimates released?
– when, in 2023, every 10 minutes, a woman is intentionally killed by her partner or a family member?
– when according to UN latest annual report on women, peace, and security, the proportion of women killed in armed conflicts doubled last year compared to 2022?
– When, every month, bullying affects one pupil in three according to UNESCO’s new report Safe to learn and thrive: ending violence in and through education…?
In view of these alarming facts, the theme of the 2024 campaign once again urges us to take intensive action over a two-week period from November 25 to December 10 to put an end to violence against women/girls.
On the occasion of this annual event, WiLDAF joins activists in saying:
-The world has #NoExcuse for tolerating this violation of women’s/girls’ rights.
– #NoExcuse for the impunity often enjoyed by the perpetrators of violence.
– #NoExcuse for perpetuating the culture of silence, supported by beliefs and cultural values that encourage it,
– #NoExcuse when, as a result of violence, the victim must cope with unintended pregnancies, or suffer severe loneliness, fear, depression or anxiety, low self-esteem, insomnia, emotional disorders, frustration, anger, suicidal thoughts… The world has #NoExcuse.
The theme Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women calls for a collective response. It encourages the world to invest in creating environments that are safe, secure and respectful of the rights of women and girls.
Every woman/girl deserves to feel safe and respected, wherever she is and whatever the context. This is also WiLDAF-AO’s profession of faith.
Now is the time to revitalize the commitments we have made, to call for accountability and action from decision-makers. Our countries have made crucial commitments to end violence against women/girls. It’s time to reverse the trend and better protect women/girls from physical, psychological and sexual abuse.
From ending impunity by holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, to investing in prevention and women’s rights organizations to ensure rights and access to essential services for survivors, to adopting , implementing and funding National Action Plans to end violence against women and girls…, the world has #NoExcuse, IT’S TIME TO ACT