Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography. It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps, during conflicts and crises.

In recognition of the brutal assassination in 1960, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, the United Nations has designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women,

This year, the Center for Women's Global Leadership is running a campaign from November 25^th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to December 10^th, International Human Rights Day to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a human rights violation. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates, including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. More information can be found on:
www.saynotoviolence.org/join-say-no/2010-16-days-activism-against-gender-violence-campaign