International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women
Breakthrough's Rights Advocates, the men and boys, traveling with the Video Van spreading the message of Bell Bajao in district of Aurangabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
25th November is the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women”. In 1999, the General Assembly had designated November 25 as the day aimed at raising awareness about the plight of many women worldwide. On its 10th anniversary UN has launched a global campaign to end domestic violence against women. The campaign is launched under the name “Network of men leaders”. This campaign urges men to help end domestic violence-an initiative which can be identified with Breakthrough’s campaign “Bell bajao”.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged men of all ages from countries around the world to join its newly created ‘Network of Men Leaders.’ “Violence against women and girls will not be eradicated until all of us – men and boys – refuse to tolerate it,” Ban said at a news conference, where he launched the network. The UN secretary general said that it is unacceptable that 70 percent of women experience some form of physical or sexual violence during their lifetime from men, most of them from husbands, intimate partners or someone else they know.
“We must demand accountability for the violations, and take concrete steps to end impunity,” said Mr. Ban in a separate message marking the Day. “We must listen to and support the survivors.”
He cited positive actions that men are already taking, such as judges whose decisions have paved the way for fighting abuse in the workplace, networks of men who counsel male perpetrators of violence, and national leaders who have publicly committed to leading the movement of men to break the silence.
At its launch, the “Network of Men Leaders” had 14 members, including Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Brazilian author and UN Messenger of Peace Paulo Coelho and South African Bishop Desmond Tutu. Tutu said in a video message that he would fight until the end of his days for the right of women and girls to live without fear of violence.
Ban said the leaders were chosen because they had demonstrated a commitment to oppose violence against women. He added that he expected the group to grow. As per Ban his commitment to this issue stems not just from his position as UN Secretary-General, but also as a son, husband, father and grandfather, Mr. Ban later told a news conference. “Men have a crucial role to play in ending such violence – as fathers, friends, decision makers, and community and opinion leaders.”
[Source. Thanks to Gay_India for sending the link]
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Editor’s note: This post is a part of a series of posts that we will be hosting on this blog highlighting various issues and activities across the world during the ongoing 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
Tagged 16 days of activism, Ban ki Moon, domestic violence, gender based violence, network of men leaders, united nations, women
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