Ban calls for end to violence against women |
 |
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on governments and organisations to do more to tackle human rights violations against women, which he says "undermine the development, peace and security of entire societies".
Mr Ban was speaking on the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which the body hopes will draw attention to what they say is a "global pandemic" of abuse.
The UN says women between the ages of 15 and 44 are at a greater risk of domestic and sexual violence than they are of traffic accidents, cancer, war or malaria. One in five women is likely to be subject to rape or attempted rape in her lifetime and women and girls make up 80% of all trafficked people.
"Across the world, in countries rich and poor, women are being beaten, trafficked, raped and killed," said Mr Ban.
"We need to combat attitudes and behaviours that condone, tolerate, excuse or ignore violence committed against women."
The UN is hoping to raise awareness and political will to address the issue of violence against women, and to encourage governments to increase the resources available to victims of abuse.
Mr Ban said there was no "blanket approach" to tackling the issue, as what works for one country might be ineffective in another.
But he said there was "one universal truth applicable to all countries, cultures and communities; violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable".
Read more
Read more:
|
| « back |
|
page last updated on 26.11.2008
