UNiTE to end violence against women: “Orange the world”

Violence against women and girls is a worldwide pandemic; globally 35% experience some form of physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Approximately 133 million young women have experienced some form of genital mutilation/cutting in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East. More than 700 million women were married as children; with many wed before the age of 15.

Many indigenous women face discrimination and violence. In Canada, for example, indigenous women are five times more likely to die as a result of violence than other women of the same age. In Europe, North America and Australia, over half of women with disabilities have experienced physical abuse, compared to one-third of non-disabled women.

This appalling picture is the reason why people around the world have come together to mark 16 Days of Activism to end violence against women from November 27th until December 10th. The UN Secretary General’s UNiTE Campaign aims to raise public awareness and increase political will and resources for preventing and ending all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide.

The Division for Social Policy and Development’s (DSPD) works on monitoring national and global socio-economic trends, emerging issues and implications for social policy aligns with the Campaign’s aim to adopt and implement multi-sectoral national actions plans that emphasize prevention of violence against women - particularly youth, older women, indigenous women and women with a disability.

The empowerment of women in all sectors of society is further emphasized in Agenda 2030 –specifically Goal 5 which is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Regional commissions need to work together to decide on specific strategies to create frameworks to eliminate violence against women. Broader social policies on eradicating poverty and inequalities between social groups will support such efforts.

To follow the campaign, please click here.