25 NOVEMBER

By a decision of the United Nations on 25 December 1999, November 25 was established  as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to emphasize a mayor problem which is a global phenomenon.
This day had been established since 1981 by women’s organizations, in commemoration of the horrific murder of the three Mirabal brothers, political activists from the Dominican Republic, by order of dictator Trujillo.

Overall, we know that :

• 1 to 3 women will face psysical, psycological or sexual violence from her partner.
• 1 to 5 women will be a rape victim or o she will experience a attempted rape.
• 40% to 50% of women in the European Union have reported some form of sexual harassment in the workplace.
• An estimated 500,000 to 2,000,000 people worldwide, mostly women and children, are bootleged each year in purpose of sexual exploitation and forced labor.

Unfortunately, a similar occasion happened in Greece this year. Many female actors suited other male actors for abusing them or even worse raping them. These incidents took place many years before, but the female actors couldn’t talk about this issues because they were afraid of many reactions. But with the confession of Sofia Bekatorou the other women who felt abused, they felt encouraged for the first time in their lives and they talked about their experiences. The slogan of the year was #metoo. With sadness, I have to tell that 16 female murders  have happened in Greece this year, three of them were in Crete. In particular one woman died yesterday, 10 December, because of her husband.

Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic. It is  a sign of shame for all our societies and a major obstacle to a equal development. This violence against women and girls is an indication of  lack of respect – a failure of men to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women.

Source: www.on.org