Message by
H.E. MR. HARRI HOLKERI
President of the General Assembly
On the occasion of
The International Day to
Eliminate Violence Against Women
25 November 2000
Violence against women is a crime against humanity, be it in times of peace
or in times of war. There are no excuses to make violence tolerable, be it physical,
psychological, sexual abuse, slavery or traditional practices that violate the
physical integrity of girls and women.
During the times of war and conflict sexual abuse and rape has become a systematic
means of intimidation and fighting strategy. I am proud to note that in the
Statute of the International Criminal Court rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution,
forced pregnancy, enforced sterilization and other forms of sexual violence
constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. At this point, I want to
commend also the Security Council for the groundbreaking discussion and resolution
passed last month during the Namibian Presidency, on Women and Peace and Security.
It is time that gender perspective is given due consideration in situations
of war and conflict, and their impact on women and girls be assessed. In peace-building
and national healing processes women constitute an invaluable but scarcely recognized
resource. In this respect, I am pleased to note that in the reform of the peacekeeping
operations of the United Nations, gender aspect and the necessity of it, has
been recognized.
I wish to extend my thanks and admiration to the many organizations, both within
the United Nations family, and also outside, the myriads of large and small
women's advocacy and help-groups and non-governmental organizations who are
addressing this devastating phenomenon, violence against women, in particular,
the domestic violence. In addition to grass-roots level advocacy, also the key
institutions such as the judiciary, law enforcement, health care, media and
educational systems need to change and become more sensitive to girls' and women's
issues, including their fight against violence and abuse. Role models are learned
in young age, and therefore, school curricula should be geared towards non-violence
and harmony in the society.
There is no shortage of international legal instruments to protect the integrity
of every member of the mankind, be it man or woman. What we need is action and
commitment to implement these instruments. I would like to highlight here, in
particular, the work of UNIFEM, UNFPA, DAW, UNICEF and the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights and its special rapporteur, to mention a few,
for their tireless work and effort to address violence.
A world free of violence should be our goal. May the first milestone be the
eradication of violence against women and children.