Violence against women is not just another fact – it is an absurd social pathology!
Violence against women has many faces. Every story hides pain, fear, and the cry of a woman asking for help. Today (November 25), the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is not just a date on the calendar. It is a reminder—a call to stand by the women who face violence every day, silently, behind closed doors.
The date (25th November) commemorates the Mirabal sisters, three activists from the Dominican Republic, who were brutally murdered in 1960 by the regime of dictator Rafael Trujillo. The sisters are symbols of courage and resistance against oppression and injustice.
The Harsh Reality
Every statistic is a life. One in three women worldwide has experienced some form of violence. Domestic violence, sexual abuse, psychological pressure, verbal abuse... Violence has many faces, but a common denominator: is pain and loss.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light a “silent enemy”. Restrictions have turned homes, which should be safe havens, into fear traps. Women who are abused have become even more isolated, while the numbers of violence have skyrocketed.
Feminicides – The End of the Road
Femicides are the ultimate end of the nightmare. Every such story reminds us that we live in a world that has not yet managed to protect its women.
In Greece, in 2023, over 20 women were lost at the hands of people who claimed to “love” them. No, love doesn't kill! Wives, partners, exes, people who saw women as property, not as equal members of society.
A Global Phenomenon
Of course, the phenomenon is not only faced in Greece.
• In Latin America, every day women are murdered simply because they are women. In Mexico and El Salvador, femicide is almost routine, with many crimes never reaching justice.
• In Europe, femicide, mainly within families, reaches 3,500 per year.
• In Asia and Africa, practices such as dowry or "honor killings" continue to take lives.
Why Does This Happen?
Violence against women is not an isolated phenomenon. It is the result of social pathologies:
• Patriarchy: A world that still sees women as property.
• Stereotypes: The perception that women should be submissive to men's desires.
• Impunity: Many crimes are not punished sufficiently, conveying that "violence is allowed".
• Economic dependence: The inability to escape abusive relationships.
Let's Be The Change
Eliminating violence is not the responsibility of governments alone. It is the responsibility of all of us.
• Legislation: Recognizing femicide as a separate criminal offense is imperative.
• Support: Creating more shelters and helplines for victims.
• Awareness: Equality education and combating stereotypes must start in school.
• Zero tolerance: Our society must shout clearly: that no form of violence is acceptable.
November 25 is a day for action. Let's stand by women who are fighting for their survival. Let us be their voice, until we manage to erase violence from their lives. For a world where women do not need to be afraid. For a world of equality, safety, and respect!