Nov 25, 2022

Today, we are raising awareness for The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (VAWG), designated in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly. The date was chosen to commemorate the lives of the Mirabal sisters, Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa, (political and civil rights activists from the Dominican Republic) who were violently assassinated in 1960 (The killings were ordered by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo). Every year the day pays tribute to them and urges global recognition of gender-based violence.

Women in Iran are currently facing extreme amounts of violence in the aftermath of the death of Jîna Mahsa Amini, who was killed by Iran’s “morality police” after she was accused of improperly wearing her hijab. She died in custody of the Iranian government on September 16th, 2022. Her death has kindled a movement in Iran of citizens who are uprising to mourn her murder and reject the state violence and surveillance. The violence continues as women and girls protesting the state violence have been arrested, detained, and subject to brutal treatment including sexual assault. We cannot turn away from these crimes or the way peaceful protests have been brutalized by the Iranian regime. 

ARIDO condemns these attacks and violence and wishes to underscore our support to our community who are affected or have loved ones affected by it.

This year UN’s campaign is titled “UNiTE! Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls!” and marks the beginning of the 16-day activism against Gender-based Violence, ending on December 10, the Human Rights Day. ARIDO is committed to raising awareness on VAWG and providing support to its community to achieve fulfillment of women and girls’ basic human rights.

In recent past, the #MeToo movement has mobilized women to speak out against violence and harassment faced in everyday and professional spaces. Although the voices of activists and survivors have reached a crescendo that cannot be ignored, ending violence against women requires further action. While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable - for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises.

#WomenLifeLiberty

Information Links are below. This content may be distressing to read.

• UNiTE! Infographic on the Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls
• Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women during COVID-19
• Report from CNN on the recent abuses of women in Iran

Helplines : 

• Assaulted Women's Helpline - The Assaulted Women’s Helpline provides a safe space, free of judgment anytime, day or night, to support, listen and guide women who have experienced any type of abuse anywhere in Ontario.
• Talk4Healing - Talk4Healing offers 24/7 help, support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, all across Ontario.