Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, a consequence of discrimination against women, and a barrier to progress in many areas, including poverty eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security.  Violence against women and girls, however, is not inevitable – prevention is possible and essential.

This year, the UNITE Campaign is celebrating 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, starting November 25, International Day to End Violence Against Women, through December 10, Human Rights Day.  The date of November 25 was chosen to commemorate the Mirabal sisters, three political activists Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961) ordered brutally assassinate in 1960.