United Nations, Nov 26 (IANS) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a strong appeal for immediate action to end violence against women and girls, describing it as an "epidemic that shames humanity." The call was made on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on November 25.
Guterres highlighted alarming statistics, noting that on average, 140 women and girls are killed daily by family members, and about one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence. This situation, he warned, is worsening due to crises including conflict, climate change, and hunger, which exacerbate existing inequalities. He further noted the use of sexual violence as a weapon in war, underscoring the severity of the issue.
The UN's Spotlight Initiative and the UNiTE to End Violence against Women by 2030 initiative are both mobilizing efforts to address and eradicate violence against women and girls. Guterres urged global cooperation and emphasized the need for justice, accountability, and advocacy to address this crisis.
Reflecting on the nearly three-decade-old Beijing Declaration, which pledged to eliminate violence against women, he stated, “It's beyond time to deliver.”