International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Today we should all pause to remember and celebrate the Mariposas - the butterflies. Three women brutally killed in 1960 in Santo Domingo for opposing the local dictatorship of that time in the country. 

In recognition of this event – and unfortunately many others - on November 25th 1981 The United Nations Assembly gathered for the first international meeting of Latin American and Caribbean women. Since that day this date has become International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

After 39 years many things have changed but sadly far too many have remained the same.

Violence against women, verbal, psychological and physical, also in the form of discrimination, prejudice, ignorance, and arrogance, still continues.  

Despite all the efforts this violence has not ceased, and in fact, continues to be justified in some parts of the world.

I find myself increasingly angry with what is often written in the media on this topic - especially when instead of condemning violence, too often a way is found to justify it in some form. I see blame on the perpetrators of violence minimized and instead suggestions that somehow these acts were the fault of the victims’ behaviours.

As long as we maintain archaic, institutional and male-dominated judgements on these behaviours, the longer we will empower the structures, behaviours and attitudes that allow these actions to continue. This is true in professional and domestic circumstances. Any behaviour of this kind is wrong and counterproductive on every possible level. 

My personal belief is that in woman, men find our perfect mirror. Without seeing the reflection in that mirror we cannot find the differences that complete us, we cannot find sunshine, love, our life purpose and or value of any future project. 

In my name and in the name of all those who think like me, forgive us, for how our societies have too often failed to recognise this value. Forgive us for what we have not done enough, and in too many cases, what we still do not do enough. That is defending and respect our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives or female work colleagues as we should do. 

Thank you on behalf of us all, because despite everything you continue to love us, to give us another chance, and believe in us.  

As men, as managers, as workers, as individuals or all together we must do more. Awareness is the first step but that alone it is not enough. Let's spend a moment to look inside ourselves and decide if we really want to change things or if we want to keep on pretending that nothing is wrong.  

I hope you join me in positive actions on this day, and every day of the year, to eliminate violence and discrimination against women wherever it still exists.