"Say No to Violence Against Women" Campaign
Statement by Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Washington, DC
One year ago, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) began its global campaign to advocate among publics and governments for an end to violence against women. In the course of the year, we have taken important steps to address this issue.
During its June 2008 Security Council Presidency, the United States focused on actions that would follow from UN Security Council Resolution 1325, on "Women, Peace, and Security." On June 19, the United States chaired an open Security Council thematic discussion on the topic of violence in situations of armed conflict. The debate culminated in adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1820, which condemns the use of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations.
Violence against women remains a fact of life in countries worldwide. Like poverty, HIV/AIDS, poor maternal health, and lack of access to education, violence against women is an ill that affects the person, her community, and her nation.
As the campaign to "Say No to Violence against Women" enters its second year, we should dedicate ourselves to creating awareness among individuals and communities of the great damage violence against women inflicts, and commit ourselves to end this atrocity.
2008/970
Released on November 19, 2008
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women is November 25, 2008
Recognizing Violence Against Women
Washington, DC
Office of International Women's Issues
October 1, 2007
The United States recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Additionally, the United Nations recognizes November 25th, as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. These designations provide an opportunity to highlight the U.S. government's efforts to combat this problem around the world. Violence against women (VAW) exists in epidemic proportions, whether it occurs in the form of domestic abuse; honor-related crimes; sex trafficking; harmful cultural practices; or in the context of war and conflict. This violence has devastating repercussions affecting women's personal health, the family, and the community. Women must be free from this threat in order to fully enjoy their rights and to effectively participate in society.
Eliminating violence against women has long been a goal of the United States and requires a multifaceted strategy that incorporates a variety of legal, educational, health, and infrastructural reforms. The State Department has instituted bilateral and broad-based programs to address such problems. Secretary Rice recently urged embassies to recognize the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and to participate in the 16 days of activism by engaging host country governments, civil society and media in the prevention violence against women. The Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues (G/IWI) is working with offices throughout the State Department and with embassies around the world, to offer support, guidance, and appropriate engagement on strategies to raise awareness about gender based violence such as:
• Promoting more rapid economic development by safeguarding the ability of women to participate fully in it.
• Protecting women from violence by passing and enforcing legislation.
• Encouraging community leaders to publicly condemn violence against women.
• Providing shelters for victims, so they have a safe place from which to plan new lives.
• Promoting the de-stigmatization of criminal complaints of rape, including the possibility of preventing HIV infection through strengthening availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
For more information on those offices and their programs please click on the links below.
Proclamation by the President
Population Refugees, and Migration (PRM)
International Organizations (I/O)
Democracy Human Rights and Labor (DRL)
International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP)
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Office of Violence Against Women, Department of Justice