UNIS/INF/346
24 November 2009

Our Goal is Clear: an End to these Inexcusable Crimes

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women marked on 25 November

VIENNA, 24 November (UN Information Service) - "Our goal is clear: an end to these inexcusable crimes - whether it is the use of rape as a weapon of war, domestic violence, sex trafficking, so-called "honour" crimes or female genital mutilation/cutting. We must address the roots of this violence by eradicating discrimination and changing the mindsets that perpetuate it," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is marked on 25 November every year, as designated by the United Nations General Assembly ten years ago.

Up to 70 per cent of women experience violence in their lifetime. Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war and malaria, according to World Bank data.

Violence against women takes many forms - physical, sexual, psychological and economic. These forms of violence are interrelated and affect women from before birth to old age. Some types of violence, such as trafficking, cross national boundaries. Violence against women harms families and communities across generations and reinforces other violence prevalent in society. Violence against women also impoverishes women, their families, communities and nations.

Violence against women is not confined to a specific culture, region or country, or to particular groups of women within a society. The roots of violence against women lie in persistent discrimination against women.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls in all parts of the world. UNiTE brings together a host of UN agencies and offices to galvanize action across the UN system to prevent and punish violence against women. Through the campaign, the UN is joining forces with individuals, civil society and governments to put an end to violence against women in all its forms.

Slovenia

UNIS Vienna is supporting the event organized by the Association SOS Help Line, the Association against Violent Communication, the KLJUC society and the Women's Counseling Service in cooperation with the Slovene Ministry of Interior and the Slovene Police to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Ljubljana on 25 November. From 10:00 to 17:00 hours information materials on the activities of all partner organizations will be distributed at an information stand at the Prešeren Monument in Ljubljana. The Minister of Interior of the Republic of Slovenia, Katarina Kresal will participate. A 3-dimensional art exhibit representing a home from which passers-by will hear sounds of violence against women will be installed to attract attention, with the aim of encouraging the public not to ignore such crimes, but to report them. For further information on this and other activities in Slovenia, visit: www.drustvo-dnk.si

 

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For more information, contact:

Sonja Wintersberger, UN Information Service Vienna
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-3430
Email : sonja.wintersberger@unvienna.org
www.unis.unvienna.org