VIENNA, 25 November (UN Information Service) - On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November, more than 100 students from three Viennese schools, UN staff and NGO representatives took up the invitation of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna to observe this International Day at the Vienna International Centre.
The event, organized by UNIS in cooperation with Frauenhäuser Wien, UN Women's Guild, Vienna NGO Committee on the Status of Women, and the 1st Women's Chamber Orchestra of Austria, featured workshops for high-school students, a book lecture, music and performance, all calling for an end to violence against women and children.
In a session for high school students in the morning, representatives of the Frauenhäuser Wien briefed the students on the various forms of violence against women, raising their awareness on violence and familiarizing them in workshops with their work and the sensible issue of violence against children.
In her welcome address UNIS Vienna Deputy to the Director Sonja Wintersberger underlined the prevalence of violence against women. "It is a widespread phenomenon. Up to 70% of women are subject to violence in the course of her lifetime."
Bettina Gwihs und Marion Geisler of Frauenhäuser Wien spoke about the various forms of violence against women and read selected parts from the book "Am Anfang war ich sehr verliebt" (In the beginning I was very much in love, by Andrea Brem and Karin Berger) which features women's stories about love, violence and a new start in the women's house.
In her remarks Marlene Parenzan, Chairperson of the Vienna NGO Committee on the Status of Women, highlighted the importance of women's rights and the cooperation with the United Nations. Ms. Parenzan also stressed the "16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence", a UN campaign that was launched on 25 November, pointing out the connections between women, violence, health and human rights and combining it with a call for action.
A dance performance and projections by Fabiana Pastorini, matching the theme of the day, and compositions of Dmitri Shostakovich, performed by the 1st Women's Chamber Orchestra of Austria, completed the well attended event.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1999, and since observed each year on 25 November, to raise public awareness of violence against women and to call for its elimination.
