We all suffer when human rights are abused

Declaration by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Sima Bahous, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women:

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Here at the UN and around the world, we celebrate those who work to protect women and girls and defend their human rights. And we welcome new partners – governments, organizations, institutions, community groups, people everywhere – who will join us, raise their voices and work together to change lives, not just during the 16 days of activism, but every day.

Violence against women is a global crisis. Women and girls live in danger in all of our neighborhoods. Worldwide, conflicts, climate-related natural disasters, food insecurity and human rights violations exacerbate violence against women. More than 70 percent of women have experienced gender-based violence in some crisis situations. And in rich and poor countries, gender bias has fueled acts of violence against women and girls.

Violence against women is often not reported, silenced by stigma, shame, fear of the perpetrators and fear of a judicial system that does not work for women. The COVID-19 pandemic, with all its isolation and distancing, made unseen violence possible: a second shadow pandemic of violence against women and girls, in which they were often locked up with their perpetrators. In every corner of the world there has been an increase in the number of emergency numbers for violence against women.

Women’s human rights – including the right to security, dignity, equality and justice – are core principles of international law. And we know that women’s leadership and safety, in all its diversity, is critical to economic progress, the common good, the health and education of children, and more. All human life benefits when women’s human rights are respected, and we all suffer when these rights are abused.

But there is hope. Much has been achieved in recent years to prevent and reduce violence against women and girls. The challenge now is to expand the global effort and make a difference for more life. We need to ensure that basic services are available and accessible to women of all ages. We need to support online and offline environments where women can safely participate in decision-making.

New possibilities open up. Last summer, the Generation Equality Forum launched the Action Coalition on Gender-based Violence as part of a $ 40 billion commitment to women and girls around the world. The coalition brings together a wide range of women’s groups and others: youth, civil society, religious institutions, philanthropy, the private sector, international organizations and UN member states. There will be concrete financial and political commitments and extensive initiatives in critical areas: survivor support services, legal frameworks and more resources for grassroots organizations.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence is also giving rise to exciting hopes. The annual “16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence” begins, a series of events designed to bring about real change. The theme for 2021 is “Orange the World: End violence against women now!”. “Orange” symbolizes a better future, free from violence. I greet you and invite you to participate.

Women’s groups and concerned people everywhere have been critical to the progress that has been made. In the future, together we can make life better and more beautiful for many more girls and women all over the world.

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/opinion/article/2001430213/we-all-suffer-when-human-rights-are-abused