Once upon a time, in the vast narrative of human history, women were cast as silent characters who were subservient to society’s expectations and their pain, their voices, their history became memoirs that we seldom talk about. This overt oppression spanned centuries. This type of violence—be it physical, mental, or institutional—was omnipresent in homes, workplaces, and public spaces. But as the world turned, so did its consciousness, and now, there is a bend, a turn where such narratives will be never silent. November 25, as observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marks not just an acknowledgment of these dark chapters but also a celebration of resilience and a call to action.
A History of Violence
History is replete with dark stories of atrocities against women. From the Inquisition of medieval Europe that saw thousands of women being persecuted as witches and burned to death, to practices like foot- binding in China as a symbol of mastery over a woman, violence came veiled as tradition or religion. Domestic violence was also something largely private, not worthy of intervention on the part of society within the sanctity of home. The horrors accumulated over colonial periods and wars. These women were exploited, enslaved, and violated, using their bodies as weapons of war and subjugation. Education, rights, and even the simplest respect were denied to these women. The system in laws often sided with perpetrators, and the rest of society turned on its face. In course, the silence around violence against women was so normalized that generations of women accepted it as their fate.
The Shadows Persist
Fast forward to today, although the world has made tremendous leaps into the future, it stays shaded by past atrocities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in every three women worldwide has faced physical or sexual violence during her lifetime, often inflicted at the hands of someone close to her. Crimes like domestic violence, sexual harassment, human trafficking, and female genital mutilation are continually questioning the decency of societies in various parts of the world. These are issues limited not to any one culture, class, or region but are global epidemics. Even in the most advanced countries, women are under threat both in public spaces and workplaces. Digital platforms, hitherto considered a means of empowerment, serve as breeding grounds for cyber harassment and abuse. The statistics may have names and numbers today, but the stories remain tragically familiar. The silence of the past still echoes, though it is now facing resistance.
The Turning Tide
The hallmark of this generation is resistance. Education and awareness have ignited a spark that cannot now be snuffed out. Women are learning about their rights, their worth, and their strength. Societies are slowly beginning to unlearn toxic behaviors that allow violence to thrive. Movements like #MeToo and Time’s Up given global voices to survivors and demanded accountability from perpetrators who long were untouchable.
The laws on violence are being fortified across the globe, and organizations such as the United Nations and Amnesty International are working round-the-clock to eliminate systematic barriers toward justice. Grassroots movements at the rural levels are teaching women their rights, instructing self-defense, and claiming long-held oppressive maneuvers. Importantly, men, too, are engaging in this discussion-now understanding well that the onus of change isn’t solely on the women.
The Power of Speaking Up
What is perhaps most profound now is the voice. For centuries, women were controlled by fear-the fear of judgment, the fear that no one would believe them, and the fear of retaliation. Today, women are reclaiming their voices. Survivors are sharing their stories, creating ripples of change as societal stigma shatters to pave the way for more to come forward.
A Call to Action
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is not just a day to reflect on the past but also to commit to a future where violence against women is unthinkableIt brings home the realization that every voice lifted against violence matters, every survivor coming out to speak contributes to collective healing, and each ally standing by makes the fight stronger. The journey has been long, but the distance we cover today is clear proof of women’s resilience and the power of awareness. It tells us that education and solidarity can combat even the most deeply rooted injustices. This day is a clarion call for all of us for individuals, communities, and government-to build a world where women will live free from fear and their stories will be of triumph over suffering rather than about suffering.
And so the story continues with each passing year but this time much less about violence and instead around the courage to end it. The ink of history is still wet, and it is us who gets to decide how this chapter ends. Let us write it with justice, dignity, and hope.