International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women

TORONTO – Thousands around the world are taking part in rallies Monday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In many cities worldwide, social activists took part in rallies to protest all  forms of violence against women. According to the World Health Organization, 35 per cent  of women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. India has become hugely sensitive to gender issues since the fatal gang rape of a student in New Delhi last December, which caused nationwide protests and a demand to end all forms of violence against women. Protesters march to stop violence against women on November 25, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo credit: Getty Images)   Activists from French feminist ‘Chiennes de garde’ association (Guard dogs) hold a banner during a demonstration for the abolition of prostitution and the elimination of violence against women called by the Women rights national collective, on November 23, 2013 in Paris. (Photo credit: Getty Images)   Indian social activists take part in a rally on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Kolkata on November 25, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images)   Protestors march to stop violence against women on November 25, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand. The protest is one of a number of White Ribbon Day events taking place across New Zealand, urging citizens to take stand against violence towards women.   Street children look on as Indian social activists take part in a rally on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Kolkata on November 25, 2013. (Photo credit: Getty Images)   Protesters march to stop violence against women on November 25, 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo credit: Getty Images)