Every day, women around the world are victims of violence – many believe this is a problem “abroad,” “far away,” or simply “not here.” But that is unfortunately not true. Reality paints a very different and deeply concerning picture: in 2025 alone, eleven so-called femicides have already been recorded – eleven women who lost their lives because they were women. The previous year, there were twenty-seven. In addition, around 15,000 restraining orders are issued each year – numbers that make it clear this issue is no marginal phenomenon. But what happens when victims see no way out, when fear, dependency, or shame keep them from taking action? This is where social courage begins: to see, to help, to act.
Femicides – A Brief Overview
Not every murder of a woman is automatically considered a femicide. The term itself was coined by feminist Diana E. H. Russell and describes the intentional killing of women by men – because they are women. This means that patriarchal thinking and behavioral patterns of the perpetrator play a central role. The term “patriarchy” comes from ancient Greek and means “rule of the father” – a social system historically defined by male dominance. This is expressed both through overt physical violence and through subtle, deeply rooted structures of oppression. Patriarchal violence can be psychological, physical, or sexual, and every form of it must be recognized for what it truly is – an attack on equality and human dignity.
A study by the Austrian Institute for Conflict Research examined 137 murders of women and girls in Austria (IKF, 2023, p. 148). Alarmingly, 73 percent were classified as femicides – a clear indication that patriarchal violence is not a fringe issue but a social one that affects us all.
Background on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
November 25 is much more than just a date – it stands worldwide as a symbol of resistance, courage, and the fight against violence toward women. It goes back to three women: the sisters Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa Mirabal. These three gave their lives fighting for a better tomorrow. They stood up against the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic and paid for it with their lives: after months of torture, they were brutally murdered on November 25, 1960. Their deaths continue to inspire and serve as a reference point for a global movement.
Since 1981, this day has been recognized internationally to raise awareness about violence against women and structural injustices. In 1999, the United Nations officially declared November 25 the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women” – a day that has since united millions of people across the world.
Building on this historical foundation, the international campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” was launched in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in the United States. Each year, it calls on people to take action against gender-based violence between November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and December 10, Human Rights Day. By now, more than 6,000 organizations in 187 countries participate in the “16 Days Against Violence,” which each year focuses on a new central theme.
The 2024 theme was “Every 10 Minutes, a Woman is Killed. #NoExcuse” – a powerful appeal that illustrates the global urgency of this problem.
Austria also actively participates in this campaign. Numerous events raise awareness, empower victims, and send a strong message for social change.
A particular highlight was the flash mob at the Human Rights Square, in which we from HOPE FOR THE FUTURE participated. As part of the “Stop Sex Purchase” initiative, we joined many others in making visible that violence against women is not a secondary topic but a daily reality. The flash mob became a powerful symbol of solidarity – loud, public, and impossible to ignore. It showed how important it is to bring violence against women into public discourse and to take a united stand.
Despite international efforts, current data from the United Nations shows how deeply rooted violence against women still is. Women who are especially at risk include those with limited formal education, those who experienced domestic violence as children, or those living in environments where traditional gender roles and female subordination are seen as “normal.” Violence against women is not an isolated issue of specific societies but a global pattern rooted in patriarchal structures and inequality. November 25 reminds us each year that it is not enough to talk about violence – we must act. It is about education, solidarity, and creating a world where women can live in safety and dignity.
Rape as a Weapon of War
In countries like Austria, war is often primarily associated with flight and migration – but its consequences reach much further and often remain unseen. Sexual violence, especially rape, is still, in many places, a cruel part of everyday life during armed conflicts. The Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC) and the Federal Agency for Civic Education have produced striking infographics that help make this often-hidden knowledge visible and understandable. The war crimes uncovered – for instance, in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s, in the Congo, Rwanda, Ukraine, Israel, and many other conflict regions – have prompted the United Nations Security Council since 2008 to adopt several resolutions addressing sexual violence against civilians in war zones. As another important step, the UN also created the office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict – a move that underlines the international commitment to confronting these systematic crimes decisively.
Responses
In 2009, Resolution 1888 followed, which appointed a UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict for a period of two years. In 2010, Resolution 1960 called on the UN Secretary-General to include in the annual report the groups known to commit sexual violence against civilians in armed conflicts.
It should be emphasized, however, that wartime rape also serves as a form of “weapon of war” directly targeting civilian populations. Such crimes also occur within the ranks of armed forces or militant groups. These cases deserve global attention and prosecution.
We Need Numbers, but Also Meaning Behind Them
Global problems must always also be examined from a national perspective. The Federal Criminal Police Office regularly publishes reports detailing how specific developments manifest in Austria and its individual provinces. The graphic shown here was chosen to demonstrate the urgency of the issue of femicides. In 2024, twenty-four murders of women were recorded in Austria. Attentive readers may notice that this number does not match the twenty-seven documented femicides – but why?
When asked, the Federal Criminal Police Office explained that the statistics also include girls under fourteen and that the term “femicide” is not clearly defined in criminal law. This leads to variations in data. However, this does not in any way mean that information is being concealed; rather, it underlines how important it is to interpret statistics critically and with care.
What We Forget
We – here in Austria – often forget that being a woman does not mean the same thing for everyone. Origin, ethnicity, cultural background, and many other factors shape women’s experiences with violence – sometimes similar, sometimes drastically different. Violence does not end when a woman is no longer beaten or experiences something even worse – its effects linger. Violence leaves traces – physically, emotionally, and in one’s entire existence.
Looking closely at what each woman has experienced is a responsibility we all share. Only by asking questions, challenging assumptions, and listening can we find solutions – for individuals and for the ongoing fight for a better tomorrow.
Translated by Julia Matzinger
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