This month we recognize the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
Women have been taking the strides necessary towards making change for longer than we all may know. Women have been taking the strides necessary towards making change for longer than we all may know. This is why days like these are so important to recognize. , We need to acknowledge the people who have come before us, the progress made and the changes that still need to be made to continue to improve the world for ourselves and those who come after us.
For that reason, today we want to share the story of the Mirabal sisters. Three brave women who followed their convictions and fought for justice in their country.
Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal are symbols of both popular and feminist resistance in Latin America. They started an activist group called “The Movement of the Fourteenth of June”, named after the date their country at Patria witnessed a massacre ordered by Rafael Trujillo, the president of the Dominican Republic at the time. The group’s primary goal was to oppose Trujillo’s regime. They informed the public about Trujillo’s crimes and openly spoke about the injustices committed under his ruling.
On the 25th of November in 1960 some henchmen, following the orders of Trujillo, killed them savagely and brutally. In 1999 the United Nations General Assembly declared November 25th to be The International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women in honor of the Mirabal sisters and their fight for justice.
Today we give a huge thank you to these sisters for their courageousness and refusal to quit fighting for what they believed in. The Mirabal sisters have paved the way for many more women to become activists. Hopefully, today will serve as a reminder that violence against women who speak up will not make other women be quiet.
Catharsis Productions
Catharsis Productions' mission is to change the world by producing innovative, accessible and research-supported programming that challenges oppressive attitudes and shifts behavior.