Obscenity of violence against women pervasive – Sharma

The shameful and barbarous obscenity of violence against women is disturbingly pervasive and persistent across the globe, including in the Commonwealth, Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said on 25 November 2008.

“Eradicating the world of violence against women requires individual and collective action, and that action must take place not only on 25 November but every hour of every day and every day of every year,” the Secretary-General stressed in his strongly worded statement.

“On 25 November, we join hands with activists across the globe in renewing our Commonwealth determination, individually and together, to bring an end to violence directed at women, which is an unspeakable stain on our shared humanity,” Mr Sharma said.

“The Commonwealth continues to advocate an approach to eliminating violence against women that encompasses legislative measures, legal interventions, health and other support services, and protective mechanisms. With the support of Commonwealth governments, professional associations, civil society organisations and other partners, the Commonwealth Secretariat is taking forward its commitment on gender equality through practical action on democracy, human rights, law, peace-building, and culture and through continued efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.”

He added: “In recognition that violence against women is a violation of women’s human rights, the theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Human Rights for Women, Human Rights for All: UDHR60’. The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is being observed in 2008 and the 30th anniversary of the landmark Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women will be observed in 2009. The Commonwealth is fully committed to promoting and defending gender equality and human rights. The Commonwealth is committed politically and practically to those ends.”

25 November 2008 marks the first of the ‘16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women’. It is also significant given the United Nations Secretary-General’s global campaign, ‘UNiTE: Unite To End Violence Against Women’.

“The Commonwealth encourages and supports such initiatives to raise awareness and to achieve practical steps to halt violence directed at women,” Mr Sharma said.

Key Links:

• Gender
• Human Rights

Related News:

• UNiTE - To End Violence Against Women