International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2025
The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134, on 7 February 2000, officially designating November 25 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities to raise awareness about this critical issue. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread and pervasive human rights violations in the world as almost one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, a non-partner, or both, at least once in her lifetime (Source: UN).
On 25 November the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE 2025 campaign will be launched under the theme: UNiTE to End Digital Violence against Women and Girls. It “focuses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls. This year’s campaign is also a reminder that digital safety is central to gender equality”.
It is a call for all to act to stop digital abuse which targets women and girls more than men and boys. According to the UN, 38% of women have experienced online violence and 85% have witnessed digital violence against others. Furthermore, misinformation and defamation are the most prevalent forms of online violence against women. 67% of women and girls who have experienced digital violence reported this tactic. 90 – 95% of all online deepfakes are non-consensual pornographic images with around 90 per cent of these depicting women. 73% of women journalists reported experiencing online violence. A cause of concern to know that fewer than 40% of countries have laws protecting women from cyber harassment or cyber stalking. This leaves 44% of the world’s women and girls – 1.8 billion – without access to legal protection. (Read the concept note in English, French and Spanish).
This 2025 campaign reminds us that digital violence against women and girls demands concrete action from governments, technology companies every single day to raise awareness, empower women, promote respect, and put an end to this brutal cycle. To know more about the condition of women all over the world, please visit UN Women.
In the recent concluded UN Social Forum 2025, IIMA and VIDES in an oral statement called on UN Member States to enforce laws protecting privacy, digital security, and gender equality especially in political spaces and to invest in programs that equip teachers and youth to use digital tools for active citizenship (text and video).
In Italy, an IIMA local partner, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Bibbiano, Reggio Emilia, has offered a free self-defense course for women and girls. Rooted in the Salesian Preventive Education of Don Bosco, the program combines practical self-defense techniques with a focus on self-worth, respect, and personal dignity, embodying the Salesian Sisters’ mission of accompanying and empowering women and girls. Around 60 participants across all ages were offered practical skills alongside emotional support.
The course is hosted at the Institute Maria Ausiliatrice di Bibbiano, which educates 375 students from early childhood to secondary school, plus 80 in professional courses. This initiative exemplifies the Salesian Sisters’ commitment to empowering women and girls and protecting them from all forms of violence and abuses. To learn more, you can watch the interview by Studio Aperto in Italian here.
Together, we can unite to turn awareness into action and create a safer, more equitable world for all.