Rome (Italy). November 25, 2021 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women established by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution number 54/134 of December 17, 1999. The UN has chosen the date of November 25 in memory of the Mirabal sisters, three activists from the Dominican Republic brutally murdered in 1960 by order of the sovereign of the country, inviting governments, international organizations, and NGOs to organize activities to raise public awareness on the issue.
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres recalls in the Message for the 2021 Day, violence against women and girls continues to be one of the most pressing human rights issues in the world today, with repercussions on the whole of society, “from the scars on the next generation due to the weakening of the social fabric”.
The 2021 Report of UN Women, the United Nations body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, highlights an increase in violence against women and girls during the Covid-19 pandemic. “But violence against women is not inevitable,” says Guterres, believing that taking actions and strategies that address the root causes of violence and promote women and girls in their rights can lead to a change in the situation.
There are several initiatives promoted by Schools, Entities, and Organizations on this Day to bring to the attention of students, religious and civil institutions, and public opinion the various problems connected to this social emergency, including the “Call to action,” which invites us to undertake paths of change.
25 November 2021, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Talitha Kum the anti-trafficking network of women religious around the world, together with the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Global Solidarity Fund, invites the launch of a Call to Action against trafficking entitled #CareAgainstTrafficking .
Every year there are 50 thousand victims of trafficking in the world, 72% of which are women. Of every 10 victims, 5 are adult women and 2 are young girls. Founded in 2009 by the UISG, the international anti-trafficking network Talitha Kum, of which two Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Bernadette Sangma and Sr. Estrella Costalone were also promoters, has the participation of over 3,000 religious, supporters, and partners all over the world and coordinates 50 networks in over 90 countries.
The presentation of the initiative – streamed on You Tube Channel UISG from 15:00 to 17:00 (Italian time) – will have an international scope, with the participation of coordinators from all continents and the presentation of the document #CareAgainstTrafficking, which calls to action against trafficking governments, citizens, civil society, organizations, universities. Program
Pope Francis on 24 November 2021, addressing the members of the Italian Victims of Violence Association, encouraged those who dedicate themselves to supporting those who suffer abuse and live in difficult situations:
“With your important activity, you contribute to building a more just and supportive society. May your example arouse in everyone a renewed commitment, so that the victims of violence are protected and their suffering taken into consideration and listened to”.
