Malala Yousafzai's Speech at the United Nations on July 12, 2013
2013 · New York City, United States
Malala Yousafzai gave a speech at the United Nations advocating for worldwide access to education, marking her 16th birthday as 'Malala Day.'
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 54⁄134
On December 17, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 54⁄134 during its 54th session. This resolution designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The intention behind this designation was to raise awareness and promote global advocacy to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls worldwide.
Context and Background
The adoption of the resolution by the UN General Assembly was a significant step in acknowledging the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. The date, November 25, was chosen in honor of the Mirabal sisters, three political activists from the Dominican Republic who were brutally murdered on this date in 1960 by order of the dictator Rafael Trujillo. The sisters became symbols of feminist resistance and were referred to as “Las Mariposas” (The Butterflies).
Key Components of the Resolution
Recognition of the Issue: The resolution highlighted the global prevalence of violence against women, emphasizing its status as a violation of human rights and an obstacle to achieving equality, development, and peace.
Call to Action: Member states, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations were encouraged to organize activities on this day to raise public awareness and develop strategies to combat violence against women.
Link to Other Efforts: The resolution was part of a broader international movement that included the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
Significance
The designation of this day reinforced global commitments to tackling gender-based violence and underscored the need for a collective effort involving legal, social, and educational measures to protect women and promote gender equality.
Aftermath and Global Impact
Since its adoption, November 25 has gained recognition worldwide as a day of activism, with numerous campaigns and initiatives launched annually to address the challenges faced by women. It also marks the start of the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,” concluding on December 10, Human Rights Day.
This resolution continues to serve as a vital reminder of the ongoing struggle against violence and the continuous need for concerted efforts at all levels of society to create a safer world for women.