‘Beyond Time to Deliver’ for Women, Girls Suffering Worsening Epidemic of Violence, Secretary-General Says in Observance Message

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on 25 November:

The epidemic of violence against women and girls shames humanity.  Every day, on average, 140women and girls are killed by someone in their own family.  Around one in three women still experience physical or sexual violence.  No country or community is unaffected.  And the situation is getting worse.

Crises of conflict, climate and hunger have inflamed inequalities.  Horrendous sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war.  And women and girls face a torrent of online misogyny.  The situation is compounded by a growing backlash against women and girls’ rights.  Too often, legal protections are being rolled back, human rights are being trampled, and women’s human rights defenders are being threatened, harassed and killed for speaking out.

The United Nations Spotlight Initiative and the UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women initiative call on all of us to join forces to end the scourge of violence against women and girls everywhere.  The world must heed this call.  We need urgent action for justice and accountability, and support for advocacy. 

Almost 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action promised to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls — it’s beyond time to deliver.