Today is being observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls under the theme “Unite! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls.”

Violence against women is one of the most common violations of women’s human rights.

According to recent studies by the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.

WHO director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a public address, said that “As countries have implemented stay at home orders and other measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, reports from women experiencing violence at home have increased. At the same time services for survivors have been disrupted.”

Ghebreyesus also said that the WHO stands in solidarity with women who have experience violence and are working with countries to ensure women can access the support and services they need.

Today also marks the beginning of the Unite campaign (November 25- December 10). This is an annual campaign led by the United Nations (UN) secretary-general, Antonio Guiterres and UN women with the aim to eliminate and prevent violence against women worldwide.

The 16-day campaign seeks to encourage societies globally to stand with survivors, women’s rights activists and feminists to bring public awareness and advocacy to social problem of violence against women and girls.