Eliminating Violence Against Women: A Call to Action

Strategic Insights -

In a powerful speech delivered on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka underscored the need for collective action to prevent violence against women and girls, emphasizing that it is not inevitable and can be prevented. She highlighted the importance of commitment and zero tolerance at the highest levels of leadership, as well as the need for groups to work together to change attitudes on the ground.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ending violence against women requires commitment and zero tolerance at the highest levels of leadership, as exemplified by the President of Malawi's pledge to fully implement the 2015 Family Act and outlaw child marriage.
  • Ensuring access to justice and essential services is crucial, including training women in their legal rights and teaching police officers how to respond to signs of domestic abuse.
  • Preventing violence against women and girls requires community-based initiatives that educate men about unequal power relations and promote positive masculinity.
  • Laws that enforce elimination of violence against women are essential, with 125 countries having laws against sexual harassment and 119 against domestic violence, although enforcement remains a challenge.
  • The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides explicit targets to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Statistics:

  • 125 countries have laws against sexual harassment.
  • 119 countries have laws against domestic violence.
  • 10% of the world's population is estimated to have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
  • 25 November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Sources:

  • Remarks by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the official commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November in New York.