Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed in the world. This draws attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women to revive commitments and call for accountability and action from decision-makers.

The estimates published by the World Health Organisation indicate that globally about 736 million women, one in three (30 per cent) worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/ or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. Most of this violence is close partner violence. Worldwide, almost one-third (27 per cent) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship, report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/ or sexual violence.

Each year, to raise public awareness of gender-based violence across the world, the United Nations recognises November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The day also starts the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which culminate with International Human Rights Day on December 10. The theme for this year is: Unite to end violence against women and girls.

The commemoration aims at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls around the world. It is a call on governments, civil society, women’s organisations, young people, the private sector, the media and the UN system to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. Adoption and enforcement of national laws to address and punish all forms of violence against women and girls, in line with international human rights standards........

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