7 out of every 10 women experience some form of violence in their life by UN Women, Unifem, UNFPA & agencies 7:43am 21st Nov, 2012   Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. It can include physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, and it cuts across boundaries of age, race, culture, wealth and geography.    It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps, during conflicts and crises.    It has many manifestations — from the most universally prevalent forms of domestic and sexual violence, to harmful practices, abuse during pregnancy, so-called honour killings and other types of femicide.    International and regional legal instruments have clarified obligations of States to prevent, eradicate and punish violence against women and girls. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) requires that countries party to the Convention take all appropriate steps to end violence. However, the continued prevalence of violence against women and girls demonstrates that this global pandemic of alarming proportions is yet to be tackled with all the necessary political commitment and resources.    Globally, up to seven out of every ten women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.    A World Health Organization study of 24,000 women in 10 countries found that the prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence by a partner varied from 15 percent in urban Japan to 71 percent in rural Ethiopia, with most areas being in the 30–60 percent range.    Violence against women and girls has far-reaching consequences, harming families and communities. For women and girls 16–44 years old, violence is a major cause of death and disability. In 1994, a World Bank study on ten selected risk factors facing girls and women in this age group, found rape and domestic violence more dangerous than cancer, motor vehicle accidents, war and malaria. Studies also reveal increasing links between violence against women and HIV and AIDS.    A survey among 1,366 South African women showed that women who were beaten by their partners were 48 percent more likely to be infected with HIV than those who were not.    Gender-based violence not only violates human rights, but also hampers productivity, reduces human capital and undermines economic growth. A 2003 report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the costs of intimate partner violence in the United States alone exceeds US$5.8 billion per year.    In 102 countries there are no specific legal provisions against domestic violence.    UN Women Executive Director, Michelle Bachelet:    I am often asked whether ending violence against women is possible given the pervasiveness and persistence of these crimes. My answer is yes. It is possible. But we can only do it together. We are all responsible and it is time for leaders to fulfill the promises made to women.    Today on the International Day to End Violence against Women, I call on all leaders: Take a stand to end violence against women and girls.    Last year I launched the 16-step policy agenda. Today, I urge all Heads of State and Government to end the scourge of violence that affects every society by participating in an exciting global initiative to showcase national commitments to end violence against women and girls.    The first step has been taken: the silence has been broken. Today at least 125 countries outlaw domestic violence and there is a large body of legislation on violence against women and girls. There is international agreement on the way forward as articulated in the Beijing Platform for Action.    One hundred and eighty-seven countries have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Knowledge on the root causes of violence has increased, and women, men and young people continue to mobilize in huge numbers against violence.    There are countless organizations whose members work tirelessly to support survivors and, in many countries, policy-makers have taken decisive action. But it is not enough.    We all must do better to protect women and prevent this pervasive human rights violation. Governments and leaders must lead by example. Now is the time for governments to translate international promises into concrete national action.    We hope to see new and improved laws and national action plans that provide for safe houses, free hotline services and free health and legal aid to survivors.    We count on education programmes that teach human rights, equality and mutual respect, and inspire young people to take leadership on ending violence against women and girls.    We need increasing numbers of women in politics, law enforcement, and peacekeeping forces. We need equal economic opportunities and decent jobs for women.    All of these actions require decisive and courageous leaders. Next March, leaders from governments and civil society will come together at the UN Commission on the Status of Women to agree on action to prevent and respond effectively to violence against women. Expectations are high, and they should be.    In some countries, up to 7 in 10 women will be beaten, raped, abused, or mutilated in their lifetimes. A crisis of such proportions deserves nothing less than the highest attention of world leaders. There can be no peace, no progress, when women live under the fear of violence.    Today violence against women is increasingly recognized for what it is: a threat to democracy, a barrier to lasting peace, a burden on national economies, and an appalling human rights violation.    As more and more people believe that violence against women is neither acceptable nor inevitable, as more and more perpetrators are punished, the change to end violence against women grows deeper and stronger.    This is not just a women’s issue, this is a responsibility for all of us. This violence is an outrage and it must be stopped. Time has run out for complacency or excuses.    Let us show the will, the determination and let us mobilize greater resources to end what is a scourge of humanity, violence against women. Yes, it is possible.    Ending gender-based violence in times of crisis, Director of UNFPA Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin.    This year, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with a focus on the impact of ongoing conflicts and natural disasters on violence against women.    Every day, women and girls face violence in the home, in communities, in conflicts, in aftermaths of natural disasters. It is estimated that up to 70 per cent of women – which is 7 out of every 10 women – experience some form of violence in their life. No human development goal can be achieved as long as women and girls continue to suffer from violence or live in fear of it.    In the ongoing humanitarian crises, from Syria to the Sahel, Afghanistan to Yemen, we see that at every stage of a conflict and in the wake of natural disaster women and girls continue to be the most vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence and abuse.    The impact of violence, and especially rape and other forms of sexual violence are often devastating both physically and emotionally. Consequences may include injuries, unintended pregnancies, and HIV/AIDS. Damage to mental health may lead to anxiety, post-traumatic stress, depression, and suicide. Social consequences include stigmatization and ostracizing by families and communities.    As an international community, we have not been able to prevent these crimes and human rights violations. But we have the mandate and solid frameworks in place to support our work. The landmark Security Council resolution 1325, which condemns violence against women and girls in conflict situations and following resolutions on peace and security call for urgent and concerted action to protect women, stop impunity, and bring justice.    We can achieve this if we intensify efforts and continue to work together. In partnerships with multiple stakeholders, UNFPA reaches vulnerable and affected women and girls in communities and promotes policies and laws that address all forms of violence against women and girls, including the involvement of men and boys.    UNFPA’s dedication to end violence against women and girls is supported by our work in and advocacy for sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights using population data and promoting gender equality.    On this International Day on Elimination of Violence Against Women, UNFPA is renewing its commitment to prevent violence against women and girls as part of our obligation to end this brutal human rights violation.    http://saynotoviolence.org/    http://www.unwomen.org/category/subject/violence-against-women/    http://www.unwomen.org/focus-areas/?show=Violence_against_Women    http://endviolence.un.org/    http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/violence_against_women/    http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/violence_against_women/trust_fund.html?    http://www.unwomen.org/infocus/16-days-of-activism-against-gender-violence/    http://www.unfpa.org/    http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/SRWomen/Pages/SRWomenIndex.aspx    http://www.un.org/en/events/endviolenceday/links.shtml    See also: www.stoprapenow.org/ Visit the related web page
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