From flash mobs to bicycle races, street marches to art exhibits, and even illuminating landmarks and buildings in orange light, people around the world banded together during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence by “oranging their neighbourhoods.”

In the nearly 20 years since 189 countries committed to the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – an agenda for women’s empowerment and blueprint for advancing women's rights around 12 critical areas of concern – countries have worked hard to meet those goals, but many acknowledge remaining gaps and challenges.

UN Women is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in the crisis relating to Gaza. It has taken a catastrophic toll on tens of thousands of civilians, many of whom are women and children.

The Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, (UN Women), Michelle Bachelet will attend on behalf of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon , the 43rd Pacific Islands Forum Meeting, to be held in Rarotonga, Cook Islands from the 28th to the 30th of August 2012.

UN Women is hosting a series of consultations throughout the Pacific this week on the theme of eliminating and preventing violence against women and girls.