For most Americans and their families today, the 25th of November 2010, is Thanksgiving Day. Feasting with family is an integral part of the celebrations, perhaps the most delightful.
Today is also the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Before you roll your eyes and think ‘yeah, there’s an international day for everything’, consider these shocking facts:
- One woman in three is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused at some point in her life.
- One woman in five will become a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime.
- More than 80% of trafficking victims are women.
- Up to130 million women have been genitally mutilated.
These are alarming statistics. Violence against women and girls is probably the most common violation of human rights around the world today. Such acts have enormous social and economic costs. They also undermine the contribution of women to development, to peace and to human rights around the globe.
The United Nations
The UN General Asssembly defines "violence against women" as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or in private life."
The UN noted in its 1993 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women that this violence could be perpetrated by assailants of either gender, by family members and even by state governments.
Violence occurs predominately within the home or in the wider community and women are vulnerable to this violence at all stages of life. The UN estimates that over 60 million girls have died as a result of female infanticide due to ‘son preference’.
Violence against women is the most prevalent, yet least punished crime in the world. Together with the global financial crisis and climate change, it constitutes one of the major challenges of the 21st Century.
The purpose of the UN’s campaign is to raise public awareness and increase the political will to provide support and resources to prevent violence against women and girls worldwide.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
In February 2008, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon launched his campaign “UNite to End Violence against Women.” Ban Ki Moon said at the launch of his campaign:
“There is no blanket approach to fighting violence against women. What works in one country may not lead to desired results in another. Each nation must devise its own strategy,” he said. “But there is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.”
This year’s International Day focuses on promoting leadership by the corporate sector in ending gender-based violence. Ban Ki Moon believes that the business community is playing a valuable role in developing projects and providing financial support to organizations working to end violence against women.
“Yet much more needs to be done,” he stated. “In homes, schools and the office, in refugee camps and conflict situations, the corporate sector can help us to prevent the many forms of violence that women and girls continue to face.”
So, enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey. Appreciate the convivial company of your family and friends. But try to take some time out today to learn more about this campaign and to think about the social justice issues at stake.
Don’t forget, either, that the person who prepared your meal today was probably a woman.
Source
John Griffin - I enjoy football, listening to music, watching films and playing football management video games. I read a little bit of everything. I'm a ...
Join the Conversation