MORE FROM HUFFPOST
MORE FROM HUFFPOST
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
These women in formation will have you reeling with black lady pride.
Like all rights abuses, acts of violence against women anywhere compromise the dignity of people everywhere. No country, culture, race or socio-economic class is immune. It's time to break our silence, to take action and renounce all forms of violence and discrimination.
A few months ago, I wrote about the need to bear witness to domestic violence in Nigeria. A couple of nights ago, I was a witness to domestic violence in a busy restaurant -- a sad reminder of importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
WHAT'S HAPPENING
On the 25th of this month the world will recognize an issue that is so pervasive and present that at least 30 percent of the global population is directly affected by or engaged in it: violence against women.
Eliminate violence against women. In fact, eliminate gender based violence all together and teach tolerance to a new generation that is tasked with solving some of humanity's thorniest issues.
The torture and torment of women has become an ideology for some. What we can give ourselves as women, no one else will. Women of the world, rise up for your dignity and equality.
The U.S. is the only Western and industrialized democracy not to have ratified CEDAW, joining the likes of Iran, South Sudan, and Somalia as holdouts regarding the global norms for women's equality.
Globally, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence at some point in her life. The World Health Organization has declared violence against women to be a global health problem of epidemic proportions.
As we recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, it is important to shine a light on the tremendous progress we are making toward ending violence for good.
