As is widely known, every year on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed. This commemorative day was established on 17 December 1999 through UN General Assembly Resolution 54/134.

Why, however, was 25 November chosen to mark the global fight against violence towards women? The date was selected to honour the lives, activism and courage of three sisters—Patria, María Teresa and Minerva Mirabal—nicknamed “mariposas” (“butterflies” in Spanish). Born and raised in the Dominican Republic between the 1920s and the 1960s, they became symbols of resistance during the dictatorship (1930–1961) of General Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabal sisters were politically active, particularly through their public denunciations of the regime’s crimes and atrocities. For this reason, they were persecuted and, on 25 November 1960, brutally tortured and murdered by Trujillo’s agents, who later attempted to stage their deaths as an accident by throwing their bodies off a ravine. Their assassination provoked widespread indignation both nationally and internationally. Few believed the official version of events, as the political motivations behind the murders were immediately apparent. This tragic event drew attention not only to the horrors committed under the Dominican regime but also to the deep-rooted machista culture that shaped many violent actions, including the killing of the Mirabal sisters—a culture that could not tolerate women’s public, political activism. In remembrance of their legacy, 25 November was chosen to celebrate global activism and condemnation of gender-based violence (Save the Children, 2024). The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women also marks the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism” against gender-based violence, which culminates on Human Rights Day on 10 December. Launched in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) and later endorsed by the United Nations, these sixteen days serve to highlight that the denial of violence against women constitutes a violation of human rights.

Given this context, it is evident that this observance represents a moment of significant institutional importance. For the day to be effective, it must emphasise that efforts against gender-based violence cannot be limited to condemning isolated acts. Instead, they must address the deeper structural roots of violence, such as patriarchy and eco-social injustices.

Gender-Based Violence and Patriarchy

The link between patriarchy and gender-based violence is one of the most firmly established findings in contemporary interdisciplinary research. It is not a matter of opinion but an empirically recognised reality within psychology, sociology, criminology and legal studies. Scientific literature defines patriarchy as a socio-cultural system that attributes power, authority and centrality to men, relegating women and gender-non-conforming individuals to subordinate positions (Walby, 1990). Patriarchy, therefore, acts as a structural mechanism that legitimises the most acute forms of violence against women (Rodríguez-García-de-Cortázar et al., 2025). Empirical research shows that contexts in which patriarchal beliefs are more deeply entrenched also exhibit higher levels of restrictions on women’s freedom and a greater likelihood of physical, psychological and sexual abuse (Satyen et al., 2024). At the global level, the UN Gender Inequality Index is positively correlated with rates of gender-based violence: countries with greater socio-cultural gender disparities also report higher lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence (Johnson et al., 2024). Such evidence confirms that gender-based violence is not a private matter but a structural mechanism rooted in hierarchical gender systems. Recognising the systemic nature of patriarchy is therefore essential for developing preventive policies that go beyond individual interventions and instead target the transformation of social, educational and legal structures that legitimise gendered power disparities (Rodríguez-García-de-Cortázar et al., 2025). Only through a multidimensional approach—combining legal reform, gender-equality education and cultural change—will it be possible to reduce gender-based violence and build a more equitable and inclusive society.

The Importance of Intersectionality in Understanding Gender-Based Violence

It is also crucial to recognise that not all women experience violence in the same way. Intersectional theory highlights how factors such as ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and migration status significantly shape both experiences of violence and access to support services (Crenshaw, 1991). For example, trans women, women from ethnic minority groups or those living in socio-economically disadvantaged contexts face heightened barriers in accessing specialist services such as women’s shelters. Barriers may include fear of stigma, linguistic and cultural obstacles, or economic dependence on a violent partner (UN Women, 2023). For these reasons, therapeutic services, public policies and anti-violence centres must be designed to genuinely accommodate diversity. Providing support is not sufficient; support must also be accessible and meaningful to individuals with differing needs and lived experiences. In this sense, 25 November should be an occasion to reflect on how to strengthen local support networks, promote comprehensive sexuality and relationship education, and build community contexts that actively engage in care and prevention.

Eco-Social Justice and Gender-Based Violence

In addition to intersectionality, another dimension often overlooked in discussions on gender-based violence concerns its connection to eco-social injustices. Ecofeminist theories show how patriarchal domination over nature and over women stems from the same logic of control over the “Other”, including non-human beings, natural resources and marginalised communities. From an ecofeminist standpoint, violence against women and the exploitation of nature share a common root (Lawrence et al., 2024). A recent study by Tran (2023) examines the violence faced by women environmental defenders in extractivist contexts, illustrating how these activists are subjected to repression, persecution and, in some cases, assassination. These examples demonstrate that the intersection between gender-based violence and eco-social injustice requires integrated responses: it is not enough to protect women; it is also necessary to protect ecosystems, promote sustainable practices and recognise the political importance of ecological activism. In Italy, for instance, the National Environmental Protection System (SNPA) has highlighted how women contribute to ecological and climate challenges through an ethic of care that connects gender justice and sustainability (SNPA, 2022). From a legal perspective, new spaces for innovation are also emerging. As discussed in an article published on the lecostituzionaliste blog, climate change has tangible effects on women’s health, calling for a paradigm shift in legal frameworks that recognises the female body as an integral part of global ecology. Accordingly, issues concerning women’s bodily autonomy and environmental protection must be addressed as two sides of the same coin, essential for promoting a fair and equitable social order (De Vido, 2025).

Towards Change

The complexity of gender-based violence highlights the need for meaningful engagement on and beyond 25 November. Because gender-based violence is shaped by multiple interconnected dimensions—including patriarchy, intersectionality and eco-social justice—it is essential to implement early educational programmes promoting respect, empathy, emotional literacy and sexuality education, beginning within families and extending to schools and community settings.

Equally important are accessible and genuinely inclusive psychological and medical support services able to respond to diverse needs. Moreover, strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation must be developed through a gender-transformative perspective, fostering women’s leadership in vulnerable contexts and simultaneously advancing gender and eco-social justice. Finally, it is vital to strengthen networks of solidarity among women and allies—not only to intervene after violence has occurred but also to promote prevention, collective care and the sharing of experiences.

Conclusion

Ultimately, 25 November cannot remain a symbolic moment. It must serve as a starting point for deep reflection and actionable, transformative change. Viewing gender-based violence through a lens that connects psychology, inclusion, and eco-social justice enables the development of more effective and sustainable strategies for intervention.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is an opportunity not only to demand protection for women but also to advocate for systemic transformation—cultural, legal and economic—towards a world that is fairer, more equitable and more humane.