Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which has taken place on 25 November every year since 1999. The aim is to raise awareness and disseminate information about the problem of gender-based violence. 

The date chosen marks the memory of the horrific murder of three revolutionary women, the Mirabal sisters, who were tortured and killed on 25 November 1960 during their fight and commitment against the dictator Trujillo of the Dominican Republic. 

Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent, and devastating human rights violations in our world, largely unreported due to impunity, silence, stigma, and shame.

Generally, it manifests itself in physical, sexual, and psychological forms that include:

• intimate partner violence (abuse, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide);

• sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber harassment);

• Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);

• female genital mutilation; and

• Child marriage.

Something we can all do is speak out about violence. Especially in an open society, it should be possible to talk about anything without fear, especially with family and friends. Try to always have an open ear for those around you. Because only together are we strong!

In case you haven't noticed, more than half of our young company consists of female components, first and foremost the founder and mother Elisabeth Tocca. She shows the world that as a woman you should not make yourself small and fight for your dreams. Because that is the only way to create a better world for ourselves and our children.

Stay CORAgeous!  

Your CORA happywear team 

Link: https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day