The following pieces were published in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed annually on November 25.

• U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, statement: “Millions of women and girls around the world are assaulted, beaten, raped, mutilated or even murdered in what constitutes appalling violations of their human rights,” Ban stated, adding, “We must fight the sense of fear and shame that punishes victims who have already endured crime and now face stigma. It is the perpetrators who should feel disgraced, not their victims” (11/25).
• U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, statement: “Millions of women and girls around the globe face violence in their homes and neighborhoods, their schools and workplaces, refugee camps and conflict zones,” Biden said. “Ending this problem requires the concerted effort of the international community, civil society, and the many unsung heroes who work tirelessly to stop violence against women in their own communities. On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we reaffirm our commitment to women and girls who suffer from violence,” he adds (11/25).
• State Department’s “IIP Digital”: “The global observance marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which end on International Human Rights Day, December 10,” the news service writes, adding, “The Obama administration is committed to preventing and responding to gender-based violence as a cornerstone of advancing gender equality” (11/20).
• U.N. News Centre: “The U.N. General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in a 1999 resolution inviting governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ‘organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem on that day,'” the news service notes (11/25).