International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — honoring the courage of the Mirabal sisters and advocating for safety, dignity, and equality for all women.
November 25, 1960, marks the tragic assassination of the three Mirabal sisters—Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa—political activists in the Dominican Republic who were murdered by order of dictator Rafael Trujillo. Known as "Las Mariposas" (The Butterflies), they courageously fought against tyranny and injustice. Their sacrifice became a symbol of resistance and inspired the designation of this date as a day to combat violence against women worldwide.
Officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women raises awareness about the violence faced by women and girls globally. The day marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which runs until December 10 (Human Rights Day). Events worldwide include the "Orange the World" campaign, symbolizing a brighter future free from violence.
This day serves as a platform to promote policies, programs, and actions to prevent and eliminate violence against women in all its forms—physical, sexual, psychological, and economic. Organizations and activists worldwide use this opportunity to demand accountability, support survivors, challenge harmful norms, and work toward a world where all women and girls can live free from fear and violence.
On November 25, 1960, the three Mirabal sisters—Patria Mercedes, María Argentina Minerva, and Antonia María Teresa—were brutally murdered along with their driver, Rufino de la Cruz, in the Dominican Republic. Secret police agents acting under orders from dictator Rafael Trujillo ambushed their vehicle and beat them to death, then staged the scene to look like an accident. Their martyrdom galvanized opposition to the Trujillo regime and inspired generations of activists fighting for human rights and women's equality.
Activists at the Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Encuentros in Bogotá, Colombia, marked November 25 as a day to combat violence against women, honoring the Mirabal sisters. This grassroots initiative by feminist activists laid the groundwork for what would eventually become an internationally recognized day. In 1991, the first Women's Global Leadership Institute initiated the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign, cementing November 25 as a crucial date in the global women's rights movement.
On February 7, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 54/134, officially designating November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This recognition elevated the grassroots movement to a global platform, enabling governments, international organizations, and civil society to coordinate efforts to combat gender-based violence. The day now serves as an annual reminder of the ongoing struggle for women's rights and safety worldwide.