November 25: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.This historical day marks the death of Patria, Teresa and Minerva Mirabal. Three sisters who gained prominence as Latin America’s Las Mariposas or the Butterflies, fearless in their struggle against the Trujillo dictatorship in the 1960s.
For their resolve and resilience, the international community decided to honor their contributions to the struggle for civil liberties and women’s political rights.In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution designating November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, enjoining governments and organizations worldwide to commemorate this day and raise public awareness for the recognition and promotion of women’s rights and outrage against Violence Against Women.RAGE against RAPE: The pervasiveness of rape as one of the most condemnable and most brutal acts of Violence Against Women in the Philippines in recent months cannot be denied.
Thousands of cases of rape and gang rape splash the headlines year after year.Very few have been resolved. The cry for justice is endless. GABRIELA enjoins everyone to RAGE against RAPE, to put an end to Violence Against Women and VOW to fight VAW.