Women - violence

Vigils mark International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

Article published on the 2009-11-25 Latest update 2009-11-25 16:59 TU

Women's rights activists in Zagreb, Croatia placed a blow-up doll in the capital with a sign that reads: "Why are you silent?"
(Credit: Reuters)

Dozens of candelight vigils to mark the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women have been organized around Finland, just one of the many events taking place around the world on Wednesday. The "Light Not Violence" events are taking place in 30 municipalities. Participants are handed candles and information on violence against women.

Finland's Minister of Health and Human Services will be at a vigil in Helsinki to accept a petition signed by 2,000 people who support funding information centres geared for young women.

It is violence against women that threatens gender equality in Kenya, according to the Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) who launched 16 days of activism to draw attention to the problem.

Ireland's Green Party is vowing not to cut resources for Irish women who are victims of domestic violence as the budget comes up for review. 

Research in Ireland indicates that one in five Irish women are sexually violated as adults, while one in eight women surveyed in a Dublin maternity hospital experienced violence while pregnant.

The Aurat Foundation says that 7,733 cases of violence were reported in Pakistan in 2008.

This is the 10th anniversary of the the official day. The UN made 25 November the official day in honour of three Dominican Republic political activists, the Mirabal sisters, who were brutally assassinated on 25 November 1960 on orders of the ruler at the time, Rafael Trujillo.