States have obligation to eliminate violence against women – UN
November 29, 2012: Countries have a responsibility to implement national policies
to end violence against women, United Nations officials stressed on Wednesday, adding
that urgent action is needed to stop one of the most pervasive human rights violations
worldwide. “Each and every State has an obligation to develop or improve the relevant
laws, policies and plans, bring perpetrators to justice and provide remedies to women
who have been subjected to violence,” Ban Ki-moon at an event commemorating the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women. “Each and every
organization, community and individual has a responsibility to speak out against customs
or beliefs that accept or condone acts of violence against women,” Mr. Ban said. Violence
against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights.
In some countries, up to 7 in 10 women will be beaten, raped, abused or mutilated
in their lifetimes. The UN General Assembly designated 25 November as the International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in a 1999 resolution inviting governments,
international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to “organize
activities designed to raise public awareness of the problem on that day.” The
day harks to the 25 November 1960 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, who
were political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler Rafael
Trujillo. This year’s theme, “A promise is A Promise” is a call from the UN to Governments
and leaders to translate international promises into concrete national action. “Violence
stems from social attitudes that belittle women and girls. It is tolerated through
indifference, ignorance and fear of speaking out. And it thrives where families and
communities pressure women to suffer in silence,” Mr. Ban said, calling on countries
to address structural patterns of discrimination and redouble their efforts to empower
women. Mr. Ban also praised the Assembly’s Third Committee for passing its first-ever
resolution on eliminating the harmful practice of female genital mutilation and said
he looked forward to its adoption by the Assembly, which would represent “a major
step forward in protecting women and girls and ending impunity for this practice.”
He also welcomed the recent support from governments for his UNiTE to End Violence
against Women campaign, launched in 2008, which gathers a host of UN agencies and
offices to galvanize action across the UN system to prevent and punish violence against
women.