Eliminating Violence Against Women November 25, 2012 “Violence
against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights
violation. And it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no
boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it
continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards
equality, development, and peace.” - Kofi Annan, former
Secretary-General of the United Nations, “A World Free of
Violence Against Women,” United Nations Global Videoconference,
March 8, 1999 On November 25, we recognize International Day for
the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an international
campaign that extends through December 10, International Human
Rights Day. This campaign makes the critical link that violence
against women is a violation of human rights. Women and girls in
villages worldwide experience gender-based violence daily in the
form of discrimination, dowry murder, acid attacks, honor
killings, sexual harassment and abduction