On 25 November 1960, Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal, three activists for human rights, were clubbed to death and dumped at the bottom of a cliff by the secret police of Rafael Trujillo, dictator of the Dominican Republic. Since 1981, women’s rights activists have observed 25 November as a day against gender-based violence. On 20 December 1993, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the elimination of violence against women through the resolution 48/104. On 7 February 2000, the General Assembly adopted the resolution 54/134, officially designating 25 November as the International day for the elimination of violence against women and, in doing so, inviting governments, international organizations as well as NGOs, to join together and organize activities designed to raise public awareness on the issue every year on that date.
Now, look at the dates. 1960, three brutal murders. 1981, the civil society starts protesting. 1993, United Nations adopts a declaration. 2000, United Nations adopts a resolution. 25 November 2022, the International community around the world celebrates a new International day for the elimination of violence against women.
Look back at that 25 November 1960. Watch the date on your mobile. Come on, it’s blood-freezing. Every single day has to be turned into an International day for the elimination of violence against women.
What do we really have to eliminate violence?
Judiciaries and police forces have an important role, of course. And the job they are doing in many Countries – not in every Country unfortunately – is irreplaceable, from the first intervention to the protection of victims. Legislations have become tougher. But all this is only a remedial approach. What’s needed is a preventive approach, a deep and sustainable cultural change, starting from a simple principle: women are not the problem, the problem is men.
May kindness defeat violence?
It seems a foolish, childish question. Doesn’t it? Can you see the spooky smile on the face of some violent persons? I do. Definitely, if we watch the news, it seems impossible. Violence is the brand identity of globalization. Every awareness campaign risks to be turned by the data in a show of uselessness.
May violence be defeated without the use of greater force? Nonsense. Even David had at least a slingshot against Goliath. Yes, legislations, judiciaries and police forces around the world can be a serious deterrent. Though the giant of violence is still there. As soon as a Goliath falls, a new Goliath takes his place. Year after year, the violence against women keeps on being a worldwide emergency.
At the same time, kindness is still there. The kindness of professionals working to prevent abuses, to take care of the victims and to steadily commit themselves for the social and economic reintegration of the abused women. It’s an undefeatable shelter of hope to draw on. The happening worldwide of cutting a lock of hair, as a peaceful protest for the killing of Mahsa Amini, is a little stone of kindness against the violence of the Iranian cops. Is it enough? No, it isn’t. But it is the way to follow. A memo for every day, not for once in a while.
The sustainability of kindness is a matter of individual stand-up. The kind and little David has to grow, higher and stronger than Goliath. One by one, individual by individual, communities can isolate violence and strengthen the respect of human rights, coexistence and dialogue within and among communities and Countries. Every cooperation initiative is an investment on kindness. The more we are, the clearer we turn our back to violence and indifference, the nearer will be the day we won’t have to celebrate the International day for the elimination of violence against women. Only on that day the sacrifice of Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal will not be in vain. It seems impossible, indeed. But no other way is available. It’s the only, real slingshot we have: the sustainability of kindness.
