WASHINGTON: “The sad truth is that one in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry as the world began 16 days of activism to end this brutality.

Nov 25 is observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women since 1999 to remember three courageous women known as Mirabal sisters.

All three were political activists who were assassinated on Nov 25, 1960, in the Dominican Republic for opposing dictator Rafael Trujillo.

“This violence knows no class, religious, or racial boundaries,” warned Secretary Kerry.

“And it comes at a terrible cost — not only for the woman or girl, but for families, communities and entire countries.”

Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations Lakshmi Puri told the Time magazine that violence against women was one of the most tolerated violations of human rights and emphasised the need to end this indifference.

Human rights activists have arranged marches, marathons, seminars and group discussions all around the world to mark this important occasion for to encourage women to come out of the shadow and demand their rights.

In New York, the Empire State Building was lit up orange, the colour chosen by the United Nations to mark the commemoration.

In Washington, Secretary Kerry instructed US embassies and missions around the world to work with local governments and citizens to “raise awareness of the irreparable harm caused by gender-based violence”.

This year, the UN has launched a campaign — United to End Violence against Women” — and is urging neighbourhoods across the world to go orange.

Published in Dawn, November 27th , 2014