UNITED NATIONS, Nov 26: Terming violence against women a mark of shame on all societies, United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres has called for greater effort around the world to fight the evil.
In a message on the International Day for the elimination of violence against women, Mr Guterres also underscored that such violence and abuse is a major obstacle to inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.
Not until the half of our population represented by women and girls can live free from fear, violence and everyday insecurity, can we truly say we live in a fair and equal world, said the Secretary-General.
Core, violence against women and girls, he noted, is the manifestation of a profound lack of respect ? a failure by men to recognize the inherent equality and dignity of women ? and that it is tied to the broader issues of power and control in societies.
Asserting we live in a male-dominated society, he said, adding that women are made vulnerable to violence through the multiple ways in which they are kept unequal, harming the individual and has far-reaching consequences for families and society.
The violence, he said, can take many forms: domestic attacks to trafficking, from sexual violence in conflict to child marriage, genital mutilation and femicide.
Mr Guterres said violence against women and girls is also a deeply political issue.
Increasing public disclosure by women from all regions and all walks of life of the sexual harassment they faced is galvanizing power of women’s movements to drive action to eliminate harassment and violence everywhere.
This year, the global United Nations UNiTE campaign to end violence against women and girls is highlighting our support for survivors and advocates under the theme ‘Orange the World: #HearMeToo’.
With orange as the unifying colour of solidarity, the #HearMeToo hashtag is designed to send a clear message: violence against women and girls must end now, and we all have a role to play,? said Mr Guterres. (UNI)
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