Every country in the world should recognise the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25. Heralding the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and concluding on Human Rights Day, December 10, these weeks focus global attention on the serious problem of millions of the world’s women whose daily lives are threatened by ongoing violent situations.

Since 1999, when the UN General Assembly designated this period as global recognition of the need to act against the scourge of violence against women, we have not seen improvement. Causes of death and incapacity of women and girls remain largely due to violent treatment, mostly inflicted by males and frequently by known males.

Many thousands of women in thirty-five countries are ICJW members. In the past 100 years, ICJW women have worked within global agencies and their women’s organisations to upgrade the safety and security of all women and girls. This year ICJW continues to maintain its advocacy and support for women whose plight during COVID-19 has worsened.

A strong voice for women around the world, UN Women’s global theme for 2020 is: Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!

ICJW women are encouraged to continue to be activists in their countries and to provide support for victims of violence. 

Robyn Lenn OAM, Chair of the ICJW Status of Women Committee