UN TAGE
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
Violence affects the lives of millions of women and girls in all socio-economic classes around the world. It cuts across cultural and religious barriers and takes a variety of forms, from domestic abuse and rape to child marriages and female circumcision.
Violence against women is largely unreported. Fear and stigma often prevent women from reporting incidents of violence or seeking assistance. In fact, 55-95 percent of women who have been physically abused by their partners have never contacted the police, NGOs or shelters.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
In December 1999, at their 54th Session, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring November 25th the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
This was in recognition of the magnitude of the problem and the urgent need for serious commitment by the world community to make finding solutions a key priority.
The commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women has become an organizing strategy to call attention to gender-based violence and to catalyze better resources to combat it.
This year, WFP celebrates this event in solidarity with the United Nations’ global efforts to end violence against women and girls and also supports the UN Secretary General’s intensified campaign to end violence against women - UNITE to End Violence Against Women - which was launched in February 2008.
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/