Designates November 25 of each year as the "Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in New Jersey."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Yvonne Lopez and 2 co-sponsors

Designates November 25 as the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in New Jersey, with an annual Governor's proclamation and observed awareness activities.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee

#civilrights #commemoratio #women

Overview

AJR 74 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on January 9, 2024. The bill designates November 25 of each year as the “Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in New Jersey.” It directs the Governor to issue an annual proclamation and to call on public officials and all New Jersey residents to observe the day with awareness activities and programs. The resolution takes effect immediately.

Purpose and Intent

Establish a formal, annual observance in New Jersey focused on preventing violence against women and promoting awareness.

Align New Jersey with international efforts recognizing November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, designated by the United Nations in 1999.

Emphasize that violence against women is a human rights issue rooted in discrimination and gender inequality, and encourage public action to address it.

Key Provisions

Designation: November 25 of each year is designated as the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in New Jersey.

Proclamation: The Governor must annually issue a proclamation recognizing the day.

Observance: The Governor is to call upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate awareness activities and programs.

Effective Date: The resolution takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Background and Context Included in the Resolution

International Context: References the UN General Assembly’s 1999 designation and the related UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, including the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 to December 10, culminating on Human Rights Day).

Domestic Context (data cited in the bill): Notes that violence against women is a persistent issue, with specific historical statistics from New Jersey (e.g., 2016 domestic violence offenses and related homicide data) to illustrate the scope of the problem.

Affected Parties and Impact

Affected Parties: All New Jersey residents, with emphasis on public officials, community organizations, and advocates working on domestic violence, women's rights, and related civil rights issues.

Impact: The resolution is symbolic and educational, designed to raise public awareness and encourage activities, programs, and collaborations. It does not authorize new funding, create new programs, or enact new legal obligations beyond a yearly observance and proclamation.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Introduced in the Assembly, referred to the Assembly Committee on Community Development and Women’s Affairs.

Timeline: Introduced January 9, 2024; no subsequent actions detailed in the provided material.

Observance Window: While designated as a single day (November 25), the preface highlights the broader period of related campaigns (e.g., the 16 Days of Activism).

Summary

AJR 74 designates November 25 as the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in New Jersey, requiring the Governor to issue an annual proclamation and to encourage observance through awareness activities and programs. The measure builds on international norms and UN-linked campaigns, framing violence against women as a human rights and equality issue. It is a ceremonial, non-funding designation intended to promote public education, awareness, and engagement on the topic.

Bill