The United Nations and Violence Against Women
There is no blanket approach to fighting violence against women. What works in one country may not lead to desired results in another. Each nation must devise its own strategy. But there is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities: violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.”
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations
Every human being has the right to live free of violence and discrimination. Yet, this right is being violated on a massive and systematic scale. Violence against women continues in every part of the world,limiting social and economic progress, and harming families, communities and nations. The United Nations system is engaged in urgent action to help governments prevent, punish and eliminate violence against women. As a United Nations agency committed to rolling out the ICPD Programme of Action, UNFPA is proud to present this exhibition, and hopeful that it will raise awareness of the worldwide need to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence.”
Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA
Gender-based Violence – What is it?
The UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women defines violence against women as: “Any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women”. These acts include spousal battery, sexual harassment, as well as violations of the rights of women in situations of armed conflict, including systematic rape, sexual slavery and forced pregnancy.
The ICPD Programme of Action and Gender-based Violence
The ICPD Programme of Action recommends that countries “take full measures to eliminate all forms of exploitation, abuse, harassment and violence against women, adolescents and children”.
HIV and Gender-Based Violence
Violence and the threat of violence can increase women and girls’ vulnerability to HIV Violence can also be a barrier, particularly for women in accessing HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. The ICPD Programme of Action recommends actions designed to prevent, reduce the incidence of and provide treatment for STDs, including HIV and AIDS.
Fistula and Gender-based Violence
Both obstetric and traumatic fistulas are major reproductive health concerns for women and adolescent girls. Traumatic gynecologic fistula – an injury that can result from violent sexual assault – especially require highly specialized treatment and interventions, including clinical and psychological care. UNFPA country offices have undertaken holistic institutions to address this serious issue.
Maternal Health and Gender-based Violence
Violence during pregnancy is an especially neglected form of abuse. The promote the right of women to health and to safe motherhood, UNFPA adopts a 3-pronged strategy that includes promoting access of all women to contraception to avoid unintended pregnancies: access of all pregnant women to skilled care at the time of birth; and timely access for all those with complications to emergency obstetric care.
Gender-based Violence during Emergencies
Gender-based violence is especially problematic in complex emergencies and natural disasters, where women and children are often targeted for abuse. The perpetuators include official armies as well as those controlled by civilian armed groups. Recognizing that women and girls are the most vulnerable during emergency situations and settings, UNFPA works to ensure that all women and girls have access to safe reproductive hearth services.
The designations employed and the presentation of the material on exhibit do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Any information that may be contained therein concerning developments relating to the law of the sea emanating from actions and decisions taken by States does not imply recognition by the United Nations of the validity of the actions and decisions in question.
? 2013 United Nations