WUNRN
UN Women Expert Group
Meeting on Prevention of Violence Against Women & Girls - For CSW 57 -
Cooperation with ESCAP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO
Direct Link to Full 60-Page
Document:
Background Paper by Lara Fergus of
Australia
PREVENTION OF
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN & GIRLS
UN Women Interview with Author Lara
Fergus:
"Prevention is not only possible, it’s essential. In addition to being a human rights obligation on states, violence against women and girls carries huge social, economic and health costs and drains public budgets, and it is only by addressing the underlying causes of violence that these costs will be reduced. Prevention also has the potential to create numerous benefits for communities beyond reductions in violence, because it addresses the discrimination, inequality and other violence-supportive practices and behaviours that contribute to a range of social ills. Prevention is ultimately about creating relationships, communities and organizations that are equal, non-violent and respectful of all individuals – and where women and girls live free from the discrimination, harassment or violence that can block them from reaching their full human potential."
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