A post in the U.S. Department of State’s “DipNote” blog highlights the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, commemorated on November 25, and the 16 Days Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence. The blog recaps a video message from Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer and writes, “In the weeks ahead, U.S. embassies and others will be drawing public attention to the need to end gender-based violence. As Ambassador Verveer says, ‘The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 Days Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence offer an opportunity to renew the commitment to free women and girls from the nightmare of violence, whether the abuse occurs in the home behind closed doors, or in the open fields of armed conflict.” The blog includes links to statements by Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (11/25).