International Day of Non violence.

Since 2007 and by decree of the United Nations, the International Day of Nonviolence is celebrated every October 2nd.

In the current times, when the world seems to be increasingly violent, it is essential to connote this celebration. This date was chosen in honor of one of the main leaders of nonviolent movements: Mahatma Gandhi, India’s independence leader.

Violence against women and gender violence, homophobia, as well as racial and religious violence are the cause of death of 1.6 million people, according to statistics. In most cases, the reasons why people resort to violence is due to a lack of tolerance and little understanding towards others, which is why the education of values will always be the best way to combat this scourge.

In 2018, on the initiative of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, the #GoodnessMatters campaign was created aimed at encouraging people to share their acts of kindness on networks.

The purpose of this day is to educate and raise awareness that there are less violent ways through which great goals can be achieved.

However, every year the numbers seem to grow, so the emphasis is on every person in the world, at least during October 2, to be a spokesperson for change, spreading some message through social networks or conducting educational activities with children and adolescents.

The more the importance of nonviolence and its power is explained, the greater the chances of living in a more peaceful, tolerant and understanding world.

Written by Regla Yasira de León Reyes.