Between International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25th and International Human Rights Day on December 10th, thousands of organizations and activists all over the world are working to highlight the global scourge of violence against women and girls. As Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer said, "Striking a blow against a woman is a blow against human rights. " "Gender-based violence is a global pandemic.  It cuts across all borders. It is not just a women's problem. It affects all of us – men and women, girls and boys." "Violence against women and girls is not only a moral challenge and a human rights violation," said Ambassador Verveer, "It also carries with it a terrible economic consequence and undermines productivity. Violence against women and girls leaves all of our communities poorer. Businesses close, incomes shrink, families go hungry, and children grow up internalizing behavior that perpetuates the cycle of violence." The negative consequences on health are significant as well. “The health costs to women include not only the detrimental impact on their physical well-being, such as increased susceptibility to HIV infection, but also mental health costs for both women and their children.”