"Violence against women is the most common and least punished crime in the world", according to a documentary entitled Women in an Insecure World, which opened a panel discussion on ending impunity for violence against women and girls. Held on International Women's Day, on 8 March 2007 at UN Headquarters, the event was also dedicated in memory of Angela King, former Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, who passed away in February 2007.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon UN photo/ Devra Berkowitz

"Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture, which takes a devastating toll on women's lives, on their families and on society as a whole", said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. "The time has come to break through those walls of silence, and turn legal norms into reality in women's lives." He noted that "the world must work to achieve enduring changes in values and attitudes towards women and violence", and that violence against women should be taken with deadly seriousness that it deserves, not just on International Women's Day, but every day.

Mr. Ban also proposed that the General Assembly add an item on violence against women and girls to its yearly agenda, and urged the Security Council to establish a mechanism dedicated to monitoring this issue within the framework of resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security, which was adopted unanimously on 31 October 2000. Violence "is a threat to all women, and should be unacceptable to all humankind", the Secretary-General pointed out, stating further that although world leaders at the 2005 World Summit had pledged to redouble their efforts to combat violence, more was needed to end impunity relating to violence against women.

"In almost all countries, women continue to be underrepresented in decision-making positions. Women's work continues to be undervalued, underpaid or not paid at all", Mr. Ban said, adding that the United Nations must be at the forefront of the endeavour and draw support from proposals to strengthen UN gender architecture. "Empowering women is not only a goal in itself; it is a condition for building better lives for everyone on planet." He called on Governments, international organizations, civil society and private sectors to work in partnership for a transformation in relations between women and men at all levels of society.

The right to live without fear of violence and to seek equality, justice and equal dignity without discrimination was a basic human right for all people, including women and girls, said Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa, President of the General Assembly. "Criminal impunity must end and every crime must be prosecuted", she added. In calling for attention on domestic violence, she pointed out that it "used to be considered a private, family matter, but that is no longer acceptable". "The burden is on our shoulders", said Sheikha Haya, and guaranteeing peace and security for all women required the efforts of peacebuilding principles, so that women could heal the scars of violence they suffered in war and peace, as well as the wounds left on society at large.

It is important to recognize women's contribution to the strengthening of international peace and security, said Dumisani Shadrack Kumalo of South Africa, who is President of the Security Council for March 2007. A presidential statement on the role of women in the maintenance of international peace and security, adopted by the Council on 7 March, was the most comprehensive in the seven years since resolution 1325, he noted.

Note: Resolution 1325 (2000) is the first text adopted by the Security Council that specifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women's contributions to conflict resolution and sustainable peace.