November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
On this day, we must take to the streets, raise our voices, and shout at the top of our lungs:
"Stop killing us!"
"We deserve to live!"
"Not one more!"
"Don't abuse us!"
"Our bodies are not your opinion!"
"Let's respect each other—as human beings and as women!"
As women, we must never diminish or betray ourselves in the name of any man's love. We must always put ourselves first and never allow anyone—partner or not—to raise a hand against us. Abuse in any form is intolerable, and it is crucial to report it to the authorities. Fear must not silence us. We cannot quietly endure mistreatment, humiliation, beatings, biting, or rape. That is not life—it is a degrading existence we must refuse. Now is the time to speak up and demand the respect we deserve.
Let us be clear: they do not own us. On the contrary, we are the ones who hold power over our lives and our bodies.
If a woman is experiencing domestic violence, her first step must be to escape the toxic relationship and seek help—from family, friends, and the authorities. If children are involved, it is even more urgent to break the cycle of cruelty. Silence in the face of abuse legitimizes it—and it can cost lives. We must stop this horror before it consumes us, because that is exactly what abusers count on.
Let's also recognize something essential:
Genocide is the systematic extermination of a group based on race, ethnicity, religion, politics, or nationality.
What is happening to women across the world echoes that same systemic violence. We must not allow anyone to mistreat, devalue, or silence us. We are human beings. We deserve the same dignity, respect, and rights as men.
If you are in a toxic relationship, the best thing you can do is leave—before it's too late. There is nothing more dangerous than normalizing abuse and believing that what you're experiencing is somehow acceptable. It is not. I have always believed that true peace and happiness can be found within ourselves—even without a man by our side.
We must prioritize our well-being instead of putting men—especially those who disrespect us—first. Violence is never the answer. What we need are solutions rooted in respect, equality, and sisterhood. Let's support one another. Together, we can build a world where all women feel safe, valued, and empowered.
At the same time, I firmly believe that women should be empowered to defend themselves—like Lorena Gallo, ex-wife of John Bobbitt, who found the strength to end her abuse and has become a powerful symbol of resilience and courage.
And finally, let us always be thankful for being alive. If we truly want to remain that way, we must never depend on any man for our survival. Instead, we should place our trust and our future in God's hands, so that He may guide us, help us make wise decisions, and give us the strength we need to move forward with dignity and hope.