KABUL - The top UN diplomat in Afghanistan on Saturday stressed the need for unified action from all Afghans to achieve the goal of ending violence against women.
Today, the UN in Afghanistan marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and 16 days of activities aimed at raising awareness on the issue commenced.
“Violence against women in Afghanistan must immediately stop,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN secretary-general’s special representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
“For Afghan women to achieve their full potential and their immense capacity in development, in peace and in security, the violations of the rights of women and girls, particularly through violence, must cease.”
One in every three women around the world has experienced physical or sexual violence, according to a statement from UNAMA, which called gender-based violence a global issue, affecting millions each year.
Particularly affected were the most vulnerable, including Afghan women and girls, the statement added. Violence, including harassment and harmful practices, is major barrier to women and girls enjoying their fundamental human rights.
Rebecca Tavares, country representative ad interim for the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, said: “Violence against women and girls is not inevitable. There are many ways to prevent violence in the first place...”
Alongside effective legal and institutional mechanisms for access to justice, stopping violence against women need an effort from all to speak out against violence in homes, workplaces and social settings, UNAMA stressed.
This year’s 16 Days theme -- Leave No One Behind -- reflects the importance of the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which commits to eliminating all forms of violence against \women and girls.
Supported by the UN, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is initiating advocacy and awareness-raising activities to address issues of violence against women and girls in Afghanistan. The campaign runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
Recalling the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan, the United Nations recommitted itself to support efforts by Afghan institutions and civil society to empower women and girls, and to promote the protection of their right to be free from fear, intimidation and all forms of violence. (Pajhwok)