Statement by the President of the UN General Assembly on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed on 25 November
25 November 2016
25 November 2016, Vienna: On the occasion of the observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the President of the UN General Assembly issued the following statement:
“Every day across the world women and girls face multiple forms of violence in different contexts ranging from personal to societal spheres. Violence against women and girls in all its forms and manifestations is a violation of human rights and is unacceptable.
Ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women is embedded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Goal 5 on “Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls” and different targets across the 2030 Agenda emphasize the promotion and protection of all human rights of women and girls. It is a key to achieve sustainable development.
There should not be any excuse or immunity for perpetrators of violence against women and girls. We must all come together to intensify our individual and collective efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in all parts of the world.
Gender inequality, lack of access to development and unequal socio-economic power relations between men and women are at the heart of violence against women and multiple forms of discrimination against them. It hinders their well-being and right to health services, education and decent livelihood. Therefore, empowerment of women in social, economic and political spheres is essential to eliminate such violence.
The elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls is crucial to realize gender equality and for the empowerment of all women and girls as well as to make progress across all Sustainable Development Goals.”