The International Day to End Violence Against Women (Nov. 25) was marked by marches in Chile, Lebanon, Italy, Mozambique, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Landmarks, from the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil, to parliament buildings in Bangladesh, Liberia, and Morocco, to Jet d’Eau in Geneva and Table Mountain in Cape Town, glowed orange to mark the beginning of the annual 16 Days of Activism to end gender-based violence. Dutch government officials wore orange ties and scarves, and in France, President Emmanuel Macron announced an initiative to make it easier to report sexual assault claims to police.

As the 16 Days of Activism began, the Secretary-General and UN Women reminded the world that violence against girls and women remains one of the most pervasive and persistent human rights violations – one that undermines peace, progress, and prosperity – and exists in every country in the world.

UN Women estimates 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence or both from an intimate partner or non-partner.

Read the full article by Michelle Milford Morse about domestic violence from the United Nations Foundation