Original Source: indianexpress.com
Each year, November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Activists assert that the rising anti-rights movement poses a significant threat to the strides made in combating sexual and gender-based violence. The ongoing 16 Days of Activism (from November 25 to December 10) serves as a rallying point, urging stakeholders to renew their commitments to accountability with the powerful campaign slogan: “No excuse, end violence against women and girls.”
Shobha Shukla, a coordinator in Sexual Health with Equity and Rights, emphasizes the need for governments to honor their promises of gender equality and uphold human rights. According to UN data, nearly one in three women globally has faced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. Alarmingly, in 2022, around 48,800 women and girls were murdered by partners or family members, averaging over five lives lost each hour to intimate partner violence.
With 2025 approaching, which signifies 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, Shukla highlights the ongoing threats posed by anti-rights movements that seek to undermine progress in gender-based violence awareness. Meena Seshu, head of the Sampada Grameen Mahila Sanstha, notes that the narrative around “protection” for women simply pushes them to the margins. “We reject protection,” she insists, “and instead demand safe environments that negate the need for protection altogether.”
Activists are calling on governments to shield advancements in gender equality and human rights from the backlash of declarations like the Geneva Consensus Declaration. This declaration takes a stance against recognizing abortion as a fundamental right—a position they argue threatens women’s autonomy and self-determination. “The denial of abortion rights exacerbates women’s vulnerability to violence,” Shukla states, highlighting the link between unplanned pregnancies and increased exposure to abuse, stressing the need for women’s empowerment and control over their reproductive choices.
November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, aims to raise awareness and combat various forms of violence against women and girls. The commemoration coincides with 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign that encourages actions against gender-based violence. Women’s rights activists stress that recent anti-rights movements pose a danger to hard-won progress in this arena, advocating for stronger protections and recognition of reproductive rights as essential to gender equality.
The ongoing fight against gender-based violence faces serious challenges from rising anti-rights movements, which threaten the progress made toward achieving gender equality and protection for women. Proper government attention and support are crucial in countering these setbacks, ensuring that women’s rights to autonomy and security remain respected. The empowerment of women and acknowledgment of their right to make choices will be vital in combating violence and building safer communities for all.
