UNiTE to End Violence against Women

About UNiTE

Every year, millions of women and girls worldwide suffer some form of violence, be it domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation/cutting, dowry-related killing, trafficking, sexual violence in conflict-related situations,or other manifestations of abuse.

Launched in 2008, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign is a multi-year effort aimed at raising public awareness and increasing political will and resources for preventing and ending violence against women and girls in all parts of the world.

The campaign calls on governments, civil society, women's organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire UN system to join forces in addressing this global pandemic. More... (PDF)

The Situation

The Situation 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.

Women who experience violence suffer a range of health problems and their ability to participate in public life is diminished. 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. V

iolence 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.

Up to 70 per cent of women experience violence in their lifetime. More... (PDF)

What is the United Nations doing to end violence against women and girls?

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. More... (PDF)

Further Information:

Invitation: Observance of the International Day for the Elimination of violence against women - 25 November 2010 (PDF)

"The Corporate Sector Can Help to Prevent the Many Forms of Violence that Women and Girls Continue to Face", Message on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 25 November 2010

The Secretary-General's Network of Men Leaders (PDF)

Resources

A UNiTE campaign Public Service Announcement, recorded by the Secretary-General in partnership with the "Ring the Bell" campaign, is available at: .

"A Stitch in Time" - a song written and performed by Caribbean artist Masum Sadiki in support of the UNiTE campaign.

The Global Virtual Knowledge Centre to End Violence Against Women and Girls - supported by UNIFEM has over 700 practical tools in over 50 languages to assist programmers, policy-makers and advocates working to end violence against women worldwide.

A UN Action to End Sexual Violence in Conflict public service announcement, featuring UN Messenger of Peace Charlize Theron

The Handbook for Legislation on Violence Against Women - available in all official UN languages

Stop Gender Violence (mp3)