"Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation"

Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General

99 years ago, International Women’s Day was launched, with women demanding the right to vote, work, hold public office and an end to job discrimination.

65 years ago, The Charter of the United Nations was the first international agreement to proclaim gender equality as a fundamental human right.

62 years ago, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

17 years ago, the United Nations passed a resolution, saying States should condemn violence against women.

16 years ago, the UN passed a resolution outlining a platform for action for states to eliminate violence against women and girls.

7 years ago, the UN passed a resolution saying states should implement the commitments made in the platform for action.

5 years ago, at the World Summit, world leaders declared that ‘progress for women is progress for all’.

2 years ago, UNIFEM began a public campaign to ‘inspire’ the member states to act by 2015.

March 2009, Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General All of us – men and women, soldiers and peacekeepers, citizens and leaders – States must

honour their commitments to prevent violence, bring

perpetrators to justice and provide redress to victims. And each of us have a responsibility to help end violence against women…… …………..

….etc etc etc……

Meanwhile, in the first 7 months of this year medical staff at the Herat’s burns unit in Afghanistan said they have seen 51 cases of women ‘setting themselves on fire’. Only 13 have survived.

We say enough is enough. Enough talk. It is time to end the violence.

We are all here because..• We want to work together for change• To find solutions to help our sisters wherever

they live• Abuse of Women affects all - across borders,

cultures, rich and poor

We are all here because..

A Safe World for women is a Safe World for all

Thank you for being here