International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls
November 25, 2025
Since 1981, human rights organizations and feminists have used November 25 to draw attention to the persistence, extent, and consequences of patriarchal violence and to advocate for stronger protection against it. This date was chosen in memory of María Teresa Mirabal, Minerva Mirabal, and Patricia Mirabal, three sisters and activists who were murdered on November 25, 1960, for their active role in the resistance against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.
In 2000, a UN resolution designated the day as a United Nations Day of Remembrance and Action, which also marks the start of the annual Orange the World campagne.
With the adoption of its guidelines against sexualized discrimination, harassment, and violence, Osnabrück University sent a clear message 10 years ago already: sexualized discrimination, harassment, and violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances and will be sanctioned accordingly.
Gender-Based Discrimination and Violence
Gender-based violence remains a global problem that, according to UN data, is being exacerbated by ongoing and new conflicts, humanitarian and economic crises, and the effects of climate change. In 2023, a total of 51,100 women and girls were killed by someone close to them—statistically, that is 140 women and girls per day. In addition, over 640 million women and girls have experienced violence in their lives at the hands of someone with whom they shared a (former) romantic relationship, which is about one in four women. If we also consider sexual violence perpetrated by non-partners, almost one in three women worldwide has been subjected to some form of gender-based violence.
Statistics from Germany also confirm the scale of such violence: in 2023, there were 938 attempted or completed homicides of women and girls, with 360 of these being completed. Around 80% of these cases occurred in the context of a current or former intimate relationship and in over 90% of registered cases, this type of violence was perpetrated by a male (ex-)partner. In 2024, this violence continued to increase in Germany; of the 171,100 cases of intimate partner violence reported there, almost 80% were directed against women. In addition, 40,845 crimes against sexual self-determination were recorded in 2024, of which over 90% of cases were directed against women and girls.
Unfortunately, cases of gender-based violence directed against trans*, inter, and non-binary people are not included in the statistics cited. Although there is a report on crimes against queer people in Germany in 2023, it makes no distinction between gender-based violence and other forms of violence against queer people. However, it is clear that the number of crimes against queer people has increased tenfold since 2010.
Statistics:
Kriminalstatistik des BKA – Berichtsjahr 2024 [German]
Kriminalstatistik des BKA – Berichtsjahr 2023 [German]
Bundeslagebilder – Geschlechtsspezifisch gegen Frauen gerichtete Straftaten 2023 [German]
Lagebericht zur kriminalitätsbezogenen Sicherheit von LSBTIQ* des BKA – Berichtsjahr 2023 [German]
UN Women: Facts and Figures – Ending Violence against Women
The extent of sexual discrimination, harassment, and violence in the context of higher education is often underestimated. However, the latest figures show that universities are anything but violence-free spaces. For example, a study conducted at 46 European universities in 2022 (Lipinsky, Schredl, Baumann, Humbert & Tanwar, 2022) reports that almost two out of three students and staff surveyed have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence since starting their studies or employment. In this case, the term “violence” refers to physical and sexual assault, incidents of sexual harassment, psychological or economic violence, and violence in the digital space, with psychological violence and sexual harassment being the most commonly reported forms.
Gender-based violence also affects people of all genders at universities, but female students and staff are more affected than their male fellow students and colleagues; those who identify as neither female nor male are the most affected. Statistically, the likelihood of being affected by gender-based violence also increases with membership of an ethnic minority, membership of the LGBTIQ* community, and disability or chronic illness.
Gender-based violence has a negative impact on the studies and professional lives of those affected in various ways. Compared to students who have not experienced gender-based violence, those affected are more likely to miss classes or drop out altogether, feel isolated from their fellow students, consider dropping out of college, and decide to leave the academic system after completing their current degree. Affected employees are also more likely to be absent from work, feel isolated from their colleagues, and consider changing jobs or leaving the higher education system than their colleagues who have not been affected by gender-based violence.
However, although so many university members experience gender-based violence, only a fraction (13%) of incidents are officially reported. Those affected often cite as reasons for this that they did not consider the behavior to be “bad enough” or only recognized it as violence after the fact.
To the study:
Support Services
Guidelines
To underscore that sexual discrimination, harassment, and violence are not tolerated under any circumstances at the university, the Guidelines on Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, and Violence were adopted in 2015. These guidelines protect members, affiliates, and guests of the UOS from gender-based violence and establish a complaint procedure. The counseling services offered by the Equal Opportunity Office are also anchored in this policy.
Counseling
If you have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, or violence—and even if you are unsure whether what you have experienced constitutes discrimination or violence—the advisors at the Equal Opportunity Office are here to support you. Here, you can talk about your experiences and discuss possible courses of action without any pressure to take action. The counseling is confidential and impartial, meaning it serves only you and your interests.
Frauenberatungsstelle Osnabrück
The Osnabrück Frauenberatungsstelle (Women's Counseling Center) offers anonymous, free counseling in the city of Osnabrück and the surrounding district. Both telephone counseling and short-notice in-person appointments are available. In addition to general counseling services, there are also special counseling services that are tailored more specifically to the needs of those seeking advice.
to the website [German]
Hilfetelefon
The “Violence Against Women” helpline is a nationwide counseling service for women who have experienced or are still experiencing violence. Victims of all nationalities, with or without disabilities, can receive support around the clock by calling 116 016 or via online counseling. Family members, friends, and professionals can also receive anonymous counseling free of charge.
FrauenNacht Taxi
Women, girls, and genderqueer individuals experience sexual harassment and sexual violence much more often than men. This violence often occurs at night or when it is dark. As a result, many women and queer individuals feel unsafe on their way home, for example. By calling 0541-32011 or using the app, the FrauenNachtTaxi offers a safe way home for women, genderqueer individuals, and girls.
to the website [German]
Heimwegtelefon
People who feel uncomfortable walking home at night can call the Heimwegtelefon (‘walk home hotline’) at 030 12074182. Every day from 9 p.m. to midnight, and on Fridays and Saturdays even until 3 a.m., volunteers are available to accompany callers home on the phone, thereby increasing their safety.
to the website [German]