WUNRN
20 November 2008
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Department
of Public Information • News and Media Division • |
SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY
FOR ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on
25 November:
Across
the world, in countries rich and poor, women are being beaten, trafficked,
raped and killed. These human rights violations do more than harm
individuals; they undermine the development, peace and security of entire
societies.
Women
everywhere are at risk, but those living in societies experiencing armed
conflict face even graver danger. As conflicts have become more complex,
the pattern of sexual violence has evolved. Women are no longer in
jeopardy only during periods of actual fighting; they are just as likely to be
assaulted when there is calm, by armies, militias, rebels, criminal gangs or
even police.
We
do not know the true number of victims, but we do know that there are far more
crimes than ever get reported, and far fewer lead to arrests. In too many
places, rape still carries a stigma that forces women to avoid the courts that
should exist to protect them. In some countries, victims are brutalized
twice: first during the crime itself, and then by the justice system, where
they may face trumped-up charges of “adultery” and the possibility of
subsequent punishment.
Even
when perpetrators are identified, they often go unpunished, especially if they
are working in the police or military. At times, these crimes are
particularly shocking. In the
Even
more disturbing is the age of many victims. In certain violent areas of
These
examples come from countries where the United Nations has a peacekeeping
presence. Thanks to the Security Council’s groundbreaking resolution 1820
(2008), adopted in June, the use of sexual violence as a tactic of warfare is
now recognized as a matter of international peace and security. According
to the resolution, peacekeeping missions, in particular those with mandates to
protect civilians, must now include the protection of women and children from
all forms of violence in their reporting on conflict situations.
Resolution 1820 (2008) also requested stronger efforts to implement the vital
zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation by United Nations personnel, and
urged troop- and police-contributing countries to ensure full accountability in
cases of misconduct.
The
adoption of resolution 1820 (2008) is part of a growing global trend to address
this scourge. This past February’s Vienna Forum to Fight Human
Trafficking, and the continued leadership of the General Assembly, are
additional signs of international momentum.
At
the national level, more and more countries are meeting their obligations to
protect women through comprehensive legislation, better services for victims,
stronger partnerships and increased efforts to engage men and boys in
addressing the problem.
This
progress is welcome, but there are still gaps. We need to do more to
enforce laws and counter impunity. We need to combat attitudes and
behaviour that condone, tolerate, excuse or ignore violence committed against
women. And we need to increase funding for services for victims and
survivors.
I am
determined to strengthen these efforts, including through my global campaign
“UNiTE to end violence against women”, which aims to raise public awareness,
increase political will and resources and create a supportive environment to
make good on existing policy commitments.
All
of us -- men and women, soldiers and peacekeepers, citizens and leaders -- have
a responsibility to help end violence against women. States must honour
their commitments to prevent violence, bring perpetrators to justice and
provide redress to victims. And each of us must speak out in our families,
workplaces and communities, so that acts of violence against women cease.
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