25 of November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The Daywas established in 1999 by the United Nations General Assembly and is celebrated all over the world.
Violence against women and girls is widespread all around the globe. It cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography and can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse. It can take place at home, in the workplace, at school, in the streets, during conflicts and crises, manifesting in many different ways: from the most prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence to harassment at work, abuse in school and during pregnancy.
According to country data, up to 70% of women experienced physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime.
Violence against women and girls has far-reaching consequences, harming families and communities.
Some facts and figures showing the importance of the problem:
– Rape and domestic violence are a higher risk for women aged 16-44 than cancer, traffic accidents and malaria.
– Violence against women has become a weapon of war. In Rwanda, up to half a million women were raped during the 1994 genocide.
– 140 million women and girls alive today have undergone female genital mutilation.
– It is estimated that 5,000 women are victims of so-called “honour killings” every year.
– Studies reveal increasing links between violence against women and HIV and AIDS. A survey among 1,366 South African women showed that women who were beaten by their partners were 48 percent more likely to be infected with HIV than those who were not.
– The economic costs of violence against women are considerable. In the United States, the costs of medical care and productivity loss due to intimate partner violence exceed 5.8 billion dollars per year.
In order to guarantee the inalienable and fundamental right of women and girls to live free of violence United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched in 2008 the UNiTE to end violence against Women campaign, which calls on governments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire UN system to join forces in addressing this important issue.
This year’s theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women and girls is the role of youth in ending violence. UN Secretary General emphasizes that: “We need to change attitude. My UNITE campaign calls for young people to take action, to organize an event in their communities or volunteer in a shelter for survivors or victims of violence. I would like to see people in the world engaging with each other, also through social networking .They can send messages to their communities and governments leaders. This is how we will change a mindset. “
In 2009 some UN women launched a social mobilization platform on ending violence against women and girls, contributing towards UN Secretary General’s system -wide campaign, UNiTE to End Violence against Women. Say NO –UNiTE showcases advocacy efforts and engages people from all walks of life, online and on the ground. UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman is the Spokesperson of Say NO – UNiTE.
You can take action NOW to end violence against women. Go to this link: http://www.saynotoviolence.org/take-action and engage!
You CAN make change happen.
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/
