25 November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This day marks the start of a 16-day campaign which calls for global action to prevent and eliminate this type of violence. 

‘Violence against women and girls continues to be the most pervasive and pressing human rights issue in the world today.’

In his 2021 video message, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated: 

‘Violence against women and girls continues to be the most pervasive and pressing human rights issue in the world today. It is both an abhorrent crime and a public health emergency, with far-reaching consequences for millions of women and girls in every corner of the globe. … Violence against women is not inevitable. … Change is possible, and now is the time to redouble our efforts so that together, we can eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030.’ 

Earlier this year, Professor Susan Harris Rimmer and colleagues released a report which examines and assesses the diverse ways governments worldwide are striving to end violence against women and girls. 

Previously, Professor Harris Rimmer shared her passion for gender equality in this Q&A. 

Griffith University will collaborate with six other universities to tackle this issue through the new ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The Centre will work closely with practitioners and Indigenous leadership across Australia and the Indo-Pacific to understand the root causes of violence against women. Professor Sara Davies is the lead Griffith Chief Investigator and a Deputy Director of the Centre. 

To learn more about the important research around gender-based violence undertaken by Griffith academics, check out some of this open access research:  

Access Griffith Research Online for more research on gender-based violence.