International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women is being observed across the globe to raise awareness about the problem. UN Secretary General’s Campaign ‘Unite to end violence against women’ has proclaimed the 25th of each month as Orange Day. The day invites to wear orange attire to highlight its calls for the eradication of violence against women without delay. This year, the Unite Campaign is extending Orange Day to 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

In his message, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called upon everyone to act and not just sit back, when there is violence against women and girls. Violence against women is a major problem in India with sexual assualts, eve teasing and domestic violence rising rapidly.

The Member, National Commission for Women, Nirmala Samant Prabhavalakar said, there is need for men folk to change their mindset and treat women with respect and dignity. Ms Prabhavalkar said, boys should be taught at early stage in schools that there is no difference between them and girls and consider them equal citizens of the country.

Ms Prabhavalkar urged women to report cases of violence against them to police as there are a number of laws like Prevention of Domestic Violence Act and Prevention of Sexual harassment at Workplace Act to deal with crimes. She said the National Commission for Women also takes suo moto cognisance of cases against women.