On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

[PRESS RELEASE]

Bangkok - The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was observed in Bangkok on 25 November with a regional event presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand who is a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.

The commemoration, co-hosted by the UN Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Office of the Attorney General of Thailand and the Thailand Institute of Justice in Bangkok, aimed to raise public awareness and increase political will and resources for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women.

The event also marked the five-year anniversary of the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign in Asia-Pacific, which was launched by Princess Bajrakitiyabha in 2010.

Significant progress has been made in Asia and the Pacific. At least thirty-one countries now have dedicated legislation to address violence against women, 13 countries criminalise marital rape, and in the past year, four countries have newly implemented national action plans on domestic violence or violence against women. In November 2015, ASEAN member states also adopted the Regional Plan of Action on Ending Violence against Women.

In her statement, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, highlighted the need to take action on violence against women in the context of the newly adopted 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development which, for the first time, includes specific global targets and indicators on ending violence against women.

“As we begin to implement the 2030 Agenda, let us UNiTE in transforming our commitments into action,” said Dr. Akhtar. “Action that will ensure an Asia-Pacific region where women and girls fully enjoy their rights to lives of dignity and freedom, both from violence and the fear of violence. The message we have to send to every corner of our region is that violence against women is a shameful act of cowardice, which is neither inevitable nor ever excusable.” 

Dr. Akhtar underscored that, “If we are to ensure the lasting elimination of violence against women and girls, it will require comprehensive and innovative strategies. We must tackle unequal gender relations, and focus our efforts on women’s empowerment, financial independence and rupturing inter-generational cycles of poverty.”

UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific and Representative in Thailand and the co-Chair of the UN Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Ms. Roberta Clarke, underlined the need for cross-sectoral cooperation to end violence against women and girls in the region. "We must all have zero tolerance for violence against women and girls and work in partnership and with urgency to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women's rights. This is a moral imperative for people everywhere,” said Ms. Clarke.

Ms. Clarke reminded that, “As called for by the United Nations Secretary-General's UNiTE Campaign, we need solidarity and action by all governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, the media and, especially, men and boys. We must also pledge our commitment to achieving a Planet 50-50 by 2030.”

Police General Adul Sangsingkeo, Minister for Social Development and Human Security of the Royal Thai Government, emphasized Thailand’s ongoing commitment to ending violence against women and girls.

"Thailand has continuously improved and developed legislation to promote women’s rights and gender equality to protect women from domestic violence and from sexual violations and harassment in the workplace,” said Police General Sangsingkeo. “This has also been important to combat and suppress human trafficking, while taking care of and rehabilitating victims of human trafficking, who are mostly women and children.”

The United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 17 December 1999, and encouraged governments, international organizations and civil society organizations to organize activities designed to raise public awareness of the global epidemic on this day.

For more information visit: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women

Notes to editors on the UNiTE campaign

Since the launch of the UNiTE Campaign in Asia-Pacific in 2010, the Campaign has contributed to:

• Adoption and enforcement of national laws to address and punish all forms of violence against women and girls, in line with international human rights standards.
• Adoption and implementation of multi-sectoral national action plans that emphasize prevention and that are adequately resourced.
• Establishment of data collection and analysis systems on the prevalence of various forms of violence against women and girls.
• Establishment of national and/or local campaigns and the engagement of a diverse range of civil society actors in preventing violence and in supporting women and girls who have been abused.
• Systematic efforts to address sexual violence in conflict situations and to protect women and girls from rape as a tactic of war and full implementation of related laws and policies.

Media contacts

Montira Narkvichien
Regional Communications Specialist
UN Women Asia and the Pacific
Mobile: (+66) 81 668 8900
Email: montira.narkvichien@unwomen.org

Katie Elles
Public Information Officer, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP
Mobile: (+66) 9481 525 36
Email: elles@un.org