The United Nations has warned that the world will never tackle poverty unless the international community eradicates violence against women.
Secretary-General António Guterres – in his message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – urged the world to take action to end violence against women for good.
“It is time to further our collective action to end violence against women and girls for good,” the Secretary-General said marking the Day, which on 25 November, highlights that around the world, more than 1 in 3 women in their lives have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, or both.
The Day also spotlights the work of women’s rights activists, who are being targeted at “alarming levels”, and violence against women politicians, which hamper women’s rights.
“It is time for united action from all of us, so that women and girls around the world can live free from harassment, harmful practices, and all other forms of violence,” Mr. Guterres said.
The UN is doing its bit in fighting the vice.
The world agency is involved in the recently launched ‘Spotlight Initiative’ with the European Union to connect UN efforts with the work of national governments and civil society; and the UN Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative.
Also, the agency instituted the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against women, a grant system that has given away more than $129 million to groups and individuals supporting women’s rights.
Among other efforts, the UN launched a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and has said that it is committed to continuing the ‘UNiTE to End Violence against Women’ Campaign, under the new title ‘UNiTE by 2030’.
The UNiTE Campaign will mark this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November through 10 December, under the theme Leave No One Behind: Ending Violence against Women and Girls”.
