As part of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women which takes place on Sunday, a demonstration will be held tonight in Tel-Aviv. According to the data – collected annually from November to November – 19 women were killed by family members in 2012 in Israel, compared to 24 in 2011, a 26 percent decrease. The numbers do not include many failed murder attempts that have occurred during the year.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also reported that in 2011 its prevention centers for domestic violence received approximately 14,500 new applications, a 16% increase from the previous year. The ministry’s data, released on Sunday, also showed that the prevention centers treated about 10,286 households (11,778 individuals) in 2011. Of these, 67% were women, 26% men and 7% were children. In the same year, 732 women and 973 children were given protection and care in 13 shelters for victims of domestic violence across the country.

A rally in Tel-Aviv, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, November 25, 2011 (Photo: Archivestills)

In a message issued on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the official claimed that millions of females and girls are assaulted, beaten, mutilated and murdered in flagrant violations of their human rights. Nearly 70 percent of women experience physical or sexual violence at some point in their life, he stressed while recognizing the upcoming day of recognition on Sunday.

“We must fight against the fear and shame that punishes the victims, who besides suffering from the crime face stigma,” he stressed, warning that the perpetrators of these attacks are the ones that ought to feel miserable. He also reiterated the need to combat the culture of discrimination that allows the continuation of violence against women and called on governments to work in that direction.

In another message issued, the head of the U.N. Women agency, the former socialist Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, stated that such attacks are a threat to democracy, an obstacle to lasting peace, a burden on national economies and a violation of human rights. Bachelet called for the adoption of new and improved laws and action plans that include shelters, telephone services and free medical and legal assistance for women victims of violence and their children. She also asked for the implementation of educational programs on human rights, equality, and mutual respect that will encourage youngsters to combat violence against women and girls.