Division for the Advancement of Women

Department of Economic and Social Affairs

2 UN Plaza, DC2-1250, New York, NY 10017 USA

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/index.htm

United Nations Secretary-General’s study on violence against women

Schedule of activities

In December 2003, the General Assembly of the United Nations requested the Secretary-General to prepare an in-depth study on violence against women. The study will be presented to the General Assembly in September 2006 for consideration.

The United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs has responsibility for preparing the study, in close cooperation with relevant United Nations bodies, and by soliciting information from Member States and non-governmental organizations.

The process of preparation of the study is as important as the product. It is an opportunity to raise awareness, strengthen political commitment to tackling this pervasive problem, and enhance accountability for action. It is also an opportunity to create better monitoring for implementation of commitments in the study’s follow-up phase.

The goals of the study are to:

• Highlight the persistence of all forms of violence against women in all parts of the world, and the unacceptability of such violence
• Strengthen political commitment and joint efforts of all stakeholders to prevent and eliminate violence against women
• Identify ways and means for better and more sustained and effective implementation of Government commitments and obligations to combat all forms of violence against women, and increase accountability.

Upcoming consultations and activities

• Consultation on 6 - 7 September 2005, at United Nations Headquarters in New York, prior to the 2005 World Summit, to highlight violence against women in the lead-up to the Summit; and to hold consultations among representatives of Government, non-governmental organizations and United Nations entities around the goals of the study and the issues that require priority attention and should be the subject of recommendations.

• Three-day workshop with representatives of United Nations entities28-30 November 2005, to identify strategies for ensuring a more consistent response by the United Nations system to violence against women at the national level, and gaps to be addressed at international level.

• Online discussion in September/October 2005 to increase opportunities for contributions by civil society.

• A panel discussion featuring the study of the Secretary-General on violence against women and the study of the Secretary-General on violence against children, during the 60 th session of the General Assembly.

• A workshop with representatives from non-governmental organizations and Governments on effective multi-sector and multi-stakeholder approaches to combating violence against women in March 2006, in conjunction with the fiftieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Events where the study will be a basis for consultation and discussion

Non-governmental organizations are compiling a calendar of planned events where the preparatory process for the study will be used as a vehicle to increase visibility and galvanize attention to the question of violence against women, to strategize on key issues and recommendations, and chart a course for follow-up to and implementation of the recommendations.

Among the events where the study will be highlighted are:

• Commemorative event for the Beijing Conference being organized by the All China Women’s Federation (August 2005, Beijing)
• IWRAW Asia Pacific Global Consultation on the Optional Protocol to CEDAW (August 2005)
• AWID Forum (October 2005, Bangkok)

15 August 2005