International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
25
November
“Everyone has a responsibility to prevent and end violence against women and girls, starting by challenging the culture of discrimination that allows it to continue."
Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon
Why This International Day?
- Violence against women is
a human rights violation
- Violence against women is
a consequence of discrimination against women, in law and also in
practice, and of persisting inequalities between men and women
- Violence against women
impacts on, and impedes, progress in many areas, including poverty
eradication, combating HIV/AIDS, and peace and security
- Violence against women
and girls is not inevitable. Prevention is possible and essential
- Violence against women
continues to be a global pandemic.
The
Issue
A
staggering one in three women have experienced physical or sexual
violence in their lifetime—a pandemic of global proportions. Unlike
an illness, however, perpetrators and even entire societies choose to
commit violence—and can choose to stop. Violence is not inevitable
– it can be prevented. But it’s not as straightforward as
eradicating a virus. There is no vaccine, medication or cure. And
there is no one single reason for why it happens.
As such, prevention
strategies should be holistic, with multiple interventions
undertaken in parallel in order to have long-lasting and permanent
effects. Many sectors, actors and stakeholders need to be engaged.
More evidence is emerging on what interventions work to prevent
violence—from community mobilization to change social norms, to
comprehensive school interventions targeting staff and pupils, to
economic empowerment and income supplements coupled with gender
equality training.
Prevention is the 2015 theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign’s 16 days call for action. This year, at the official commemoration at UN Headquarters in New York, the first UN Framework on Preventing Violence against Women will be launched and discussed (ECOSOC Chamber; 10 a.m.–12 noon). This document stems from the collaboration of seven UN entities: UN Women, ILO, OHCHR, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA and WHO. The framework develops a common understanding for the UN System, policymakers and other stakeholders on preventing violence against women and provides a theory of change to underpin action.
Prevention is the 2015 theme of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign’s 16 days call for action. This year, at the official commemoration at UN Headquarters in New York, the first UN Framework on Preventing Violence against Women will be launched and discussed (ECOSOC Chamber; 10 a.m.–12 noon). This document stems from the collaboration of seven UN entities: UN Women, ILO, OHCHR, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA and WHO. The framework develops a common understanding for the UN System, policymakers and other stakeholders on preventing violence against women and provides a theory of change to underpin action.
16 days to “Orange the world”
From 25
November through 10 December, Human Rights Day, the 16
Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence aim to raise
public awareness and mobilizing people everywhere to bring about
change. This year, the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE
to End Violence against Women campaign invites you to
“Orange
the world,”
using the colour designated by the UNiTE campaign to symbolize a
brighter future without violence. Organize events to orange streets,
schools and landmarks!
- See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women#sthash.FAvCgGcc.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women#sthash.FAvCgGcc.dpuf