· Statistics   · Resources for Assistance   · Legislation   · Reports   · Day for the Elimination of Violence   · Main List		No to Violence Against Women The Celebration of the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women On November 25th, the three Mirabal sisters, known as the Butterflies, were brutally assassinated by agents of the Trujillo government´s Military Intelligence Service.  This atrocious incident, unfortunately not an isolated one, is the historical reason behind the adoption of this commemorative day, No Violence Against Women Day. As is our tradition in the Dominican Republic, the Secretary of State for Women´s Affairs is promoting a campaign to sensitize people to the problem. This year´s dominating theme is: “Let us build Peace: Eradicate Violence Against Women.” As the institution responsible for establishing, coordinating and carrying out policy, plans and programs on a governmental as well as societal level, the ministry will begin a campaign to increase sensitivity and an understanding that the cause of women is the cause of the family and should therefore be assumed by all of us. We should understand that the history of the Dominican Republic, like any other country, cannot be written without the full participation of women in the political, social and economic process. Nevertheless, numerous obstacles have stood in the way of women coming forward and taking part. The Mirabal sisters, like so many other illustrious Dominican activists and revolutionaries whose deeds are intimately linked to the democratic process that began in the Dominican Republic in 1961 with the death of the tyrant Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, have contributed with their sweat and blood to the climate of peace that reigns today in our country. Our history attests to the fact that since the beginning of the republic in 1844, women have significantly contributed to the political development of the Dominican people. In 1838, when the independence movement found itself in trouble, Josefa Pérez de Perdomo came forward as one of the first women to contribute to the independence struggle when she put The Trinitaria Foundation up in her own house.