International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Date in the current year: November 25, 2024

Observance of this day was initiated by in 1981 by activists who wanted to combat and raise public awareness about violence against women in the modern world. The date was chosen to commemorate the deaths of the three Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic in 1960.

The Mirabal sisters were activists who opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. They became the leaders of the influential 14th of June Movement that challenged Trujillo's regime. In 1960, Trujillo ordered the sisters' assassination, which took place on November 25, 1960.

The commemoration day for the Mirabal sisters gained international recognition in December 1999, when the UN declared November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Member states are encouraged to organize activities aimed at eliminating domestic violence, rape, and other forms of violence against women.