[procaare] UN Statement on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

["UN Secretary-General" <procaare@healthnet.org>]

Statement: Message on International Day for the Elimination of Violence
against Women 
- UN Secretary-General 
25 November 2005
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[*Mod note: Today, 25th of November marks the start of the 16 Days of
Gender Activism Against Violence, an international campaign meant to
raise awareness about gender violence, strengthen the work of local
organisations and demonstrate the solidarity of women around the world.
Below are the statements of UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, to mark
the  International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. ]


Violence against women remains pervasive worldwide. It is the most
atrocious manifestation of the systemic discrimination and inequality
women continue to face, in law and in their everyday lives, around the
world. It occurs in every region, country, and culture, regardless of
income, class, race or ethnicity.

Gender-based violence is also damaging to society as a whole. It can
prevent women from engaging in productive employment, and girls from
attending school. It makes women more vulnerable to forced and
unprotected sex, which plays a key role in the spread of HIV/AIDS. It
takes a deep and enduring toll on the entire family, including and
especially the next generation. That is why this year's 16 Days of
Activism Against Gender Violence, starting today, will be used by
Governments, United Nations entities and civil society activists to
focus on the detrimental consequences of violence against women on the
well-being of the world as a whole.

At the World Summit in September, leaders pledged to redouble efforts to
eliminate all forms of violence against women and the girl child. We
know that this requires us to change the mindset, still all too common
and deep-seated, that violence against women is acceptable. That means
leadership in showing, by example, that when it comes to violence
against women and girls, there are no grounds for tolerance and no
tolerable excuses. On this International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women, let us rededicate ourselves to that mission.

UN Secretary-General

Online:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/feature/vaw_day_2005/vaw2005_english.pdf