November 25th commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a date that invites us to reflect and take action to end one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world. According to the United Nations' 2024 slogan, a woman is murdered every eleven minutes; which means that, as you read this article, at least one woman in the world will lose her life at the hands of her partner or a family member or close person.
This shocking reality demands an urgent change that involves the entire society: authorities, communities, families, and each individual in particular.
Gender violence is not limited to a single type of crime or a single space, but encompasses a range that goes from physical and psychological abuse to sexual, economic, and social abuse against the female collective. Millions of women and girls face daily situations of abuse that prevent them from living with freedom and security, within the framework of a patriarchal model that is perpetuated in silence, with victims often without support, while those responsible go unpunished. Eradicating sexist attacks requires not only effective laws, but also a profound change in our attitudes and customs.
Globally, efforts to reduce this scourge are insufficient if they are not accompanied by the will to transform deep convictions and behaviors that have historically normalized control and aggression towards women. Education in equality and respect is fundamental to create a society that rejects all forms of violence. Only then can we speak of a culture free of stigmas and abuses, in which all of us can live without fear.
This year, the UN's hashtag Every eleven minutes a woman is murdered seeks to open our eyes and hearts to a devastating reality that cannot and should not be ignored. It is a call to join forces, to recognize the magnitude of this tragedy, and to act quickly and decisively. By sharing this information, giving visibility to the stories of the victims, and actively denouncing, we can all contribute to the urgent social change.
The elimination of crimes against women is not a utopia but an urgent and achievable necessity. Every gesture counts: from reporting an act of violence to education in equality for the next generations. Building a safe world for all is a responsibility of collective concern, and the time to do it is now.
Because every eleven minutes, silence is complicit in a tragedy.
