International Day Against Violence Against Women

Remembering the Mirabal Sisters

Each day, the date (November 25) is beginning to symbolise in a growing number of countries the general public’s outrage because of the increasing amount of cases of violence: specifically physical and/or mental abuse against girls and women.

The commemoration of the date came from a proposal made during the “First Feminist Encounter” which was celebrated in Cartagena, Colombia in 1980. In honour of the three women from the Dominican Republic, who were brutally assassinated on November 25, 1960 — the Mirabal sisters.

Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa Mirabal were three brave women from a small town called Salcedo, whom fought against one of the fiercest tyrants known in Latin American; Rafael Trujillo. With a firm decision to fight for political freedom for their country, these courageous women dared to publicly oppose the dictator.

Due to their daring spirit they were persecuted and incarcerated many times, along with their husbands: Manuel Tavárez Justo, Leondro Guzmán y Pedro González.

Enraged by this, Trujillo carefully planned their assassination.

Knowing that they would be travelling to visit their husbands, who were still imprisoned in the nearby town of Puerto Plata, he ordered his men to assassinate them and simulate that there had been a car accident on the roadside. The horrendous crime was committed on the 25th of November, 1960.

Nobody believed the dictator’s version…

This political crime was a detonator for the people to decide that they could no longer tolerate the regime. Six months later, on May 30, 1961, Trujillo was slain ending the 31-year tyranny. From this point on a process towards democracy and respect of individual human rights began to develop in the Dominican Republic. The image the Mirabal sisters portray among Latin America’s is that of the struggle against political oppression to which they had been submitted.

Their memory has become a symbol of dignity and a model of patriotism that has transcended time and space.

Women cited as perpetrators

The dominant form of domestic violence is that perpetrated by adult men against their female partners.

A new phenomenon is the reporting of incidents where the roles are reversed and women are cited as perpetrators. Freedom from abuse and violence is everyone’s right.

Research consistently reveals that domestic violence is widespead and cuts across all barriers of class, race, culture and religion.

Domestic violence is not a private matter. The effect on society is too far ranging socially and economically for it not to be taken seriously by all in our communities. Non-intervention leaves women and children unprotected from violence and abuse. Communities must take up responsibility to provide protection and see it as a crime, denial of basic rights, not a “private matter”.

Domestic violence involves a wide range of controlling behaviours of which physical violence is but a part. It is not merely argument that has got out of hand. Rather, the cause of the argument must be dealt with.

Spousal abuse is a learned behaviour, therefore, education in, practice of attitudes that build human relationships would be the first step in prevention of domestic violence. Domestic violence thrives on shame, secrecy and denial. The response must be a safe place for (a) victims to encourage the expression of the problem and (b) perpetrators who will recognise their abusive behaviour and accept responsibility for it.

This approach will help victims to rise above depression from low self-esteem caused by abuse.

Our message to victims today is “your situation can change, no matter what has happened, you will never lose your value, you are still priceless to those who you love”.

There is an ongoing response to your needs through the Regional Domestic Violence Intervention Programme.

Today, CAFRA applauds the 26,000 Police officers, social workers, trainers, founders and Institutions participating in the effort towards building sustainable and violence-free societies.

Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) — Message on the occasion of international day to end violence against women.