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The logo of the Equal Opportunities Office at TU Dortmund University
Lettering: Up to Date, queer and feminist calendar of the Equal Opportunities Office of TU Dortmund University © Borgschulze​/​TU Dortmund
November 25

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Since 1999, the United Nations has been calling for the International Day of Action for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25.

Violence is one of the greatest health risks for women, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). It is the main cause of death or health impairment for women between the ages of 16 and 44, ahead of cancer and traffic accidents (Frauen helfen Frauen, 2020).

According to current statistics from the BKA, a total of 360 girls and women were victims of murder in 2023, meaning that a femicide occurred almost every day in Germany. The number of female victims of attempted and completed homicides in 2023 was 938 (BKA, 2024).

Femicide is defined as the killing of a girl or woman because of their gender or because of certain ideas of femininity (BFF, 2020).

Women in relationships are particularly at risk. According to statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office, almost 80 per cent of people affected by intimate partner violence in 2023 were female. At 80.6 per cent, women are also the majority of victims killed in connection with partner violence (BKA, 2024). In both 2020 and 2021, over 110,000 women experienced violence at the hands of their partner or ex-partner (BKA, 2023).

The federal report ‘Gender-specific crimes against women 2023’ clearly shows that violence against women is on the rise.

A woman or girl experienced domestic violence every three minutes and the number of female victims of sexual offences was 52,330 (BKA, 2024).

The most common forms of violence against women are deliberate assault, followed by threats, stalking, coercion and even dangerous bodily harm (bpb, 2020). Girls and women are also particularly affected by digital violence and human trafficking (BKA, 2024).

 

The Mirabal sisters

The origin of the International Day against Violence against Women and Girls is the abduction and killing of the three sisters Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal. Together with others, the three women rebelled against the dictatorship in the Dominican Republic in 1960. After the uprising failed, all the rebels were imprisoned. While the three women were soon released, their husbands remained in prison. When the sisters tried to visit them in prison on 25 November 1960, the women were strangled to death (Pruitt, 2021).

Since 1981, the sisters have been commemorated on the day of their deaths; since 1999, the United Nations has officially called for an international day of action on 25 November (Aktion Deutschland Hilft, 2021). In a 1994 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, violence against women was defined and recognised as gender-based violence for the first time (UN, 1994).

Activities in Dortmund

On 25 November this year, Dortmund will once again be raising awareness of violence against women, creating public awareness and setting an example against violence. Numerous companies and organisations are taking part in the ‘Orange the World’ campaign. Buildings are illuminated in orange or orange flags are hoisted to take a stand against violence against women and girls. Orange flags will also be flying on campus on 25 November.

Offers of help for those affected

Those affected can contact the Central Advice Centre for Protection against Discrimination and Sexualized Violence (SchuDS). Counseling is open to all members and guests of TU Dortmund University. It is confidential and can also be anonymous. A consultation in English is possible.

Further information

The "Violence against women" helpline is a nationwide advice service for women who have experienced or are still experiencing violence. Counselors support victims of all nationalities, with and without disabilities, by telephone and online - 365 days a year, around the clock. Relatives, friends and professionals can also seek advice anonymously and free of charge.

Phone: 116016

Further information

Women's Counseling Center Dortmund

Märkische Straße 212-218
44141 Dortmund

Phone: 0231/521008

Further information

Dortmund Women's Shelter

Phone: 0231/800081
E-Mail

Further information

Women's counseling Witten

Augustastraße 47
58425 Witten

Phone: 02302/52596
E-Mail

Wildwasser Bochum e. V.

Phone: (0234) 79 45 652

Further information

Women's counseling center Gelsenkirchen

Robert-Koch-Str. 18
45879 Gelsenkirchen

Phone: 0209/36163691 and 0209/36163692

Signal for Help

With this gesture, people can silently show that they are in need of help and ask someone to check in with them. To do this, one hand is raised and the palm of the hand is open, the thumb is then placed inwards over the palm of the hand and visibly trapped in a fist with the fingers. It is important to spread knowledge about this hand signal so that people affected can get help.

Pictogram: Hand with all five fingers spread out
First step: Open the palm of your hand
Pictogram: Hand with four fingers outstretched, the thumb is folded in
Second step: Place the thumb in the palm of the hand
Pictogram: Fist
Third Step: Trap the thumb with all four fingers / make a fist

Last updated: 22.11.2024

Sources (in German)

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