Men must stand up to violence against women, urges UN

 
Three out of four women worldwide experience violence by men. The United Nations is reaching out to men to help as it launches a global campaign to end violence against women.With backing from international political, religious and cultural leaders, the UN hopes to wipe out violence against women and girls worldwide. The push comes as the organisation marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.Men of all ages from countries around the world are asked to join a new ‘Network of Men Leaders.’ "Violence against women and girls will not be eradicated until all of us - men and boys - refuse to tolerate it," urged Ban Ki-moon, speaking at the UN headquarters in New York.

It is unacceptable that some 70 per cent of women experience some form of physical or sexual violence during their lifetime from men, most of them from husbands, intimate partners or someone else they know, The UN secretary general said. The new ant-violence drive was announced the day before the 10th UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In 1999, the General Assembly had designated November 25 as the day aimed at raising awareness of the plight of many women worldwide. At its launch, the "Network of Men Leaders" had 14 members, including Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Brazilian author Paulo Coelho and South African Bishop Desmond Tutu. Tutu said in a video message that he would fight until the end of his days for the right of women and girls to live without fear of violence.

Ban said the leaders were chosen because they had demonstrated a commitment to oppose violence against women. He added that he expected the group to grow.“Break the silence," he said. "When you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back. Act. Advocate. Unite to change the practices and attitudes that incite, perpetrate and condone this violence."He said men must teach each other that real men do not violate or oppress women - and that a woman's place is not just in the home or in the fields but in schools, offices and boardrooms.Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the South African Nobel Peace Laureate, said: "You are a weak man if you use your physical superiority to assault and brutalise women.”

By Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children