Source: UN News Centre
As the UN marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, statistics show that 70 per cent of women and girls will experience some form of violence during their lifetime. Pictured, in Cambodia, an acid attack survivor who was assaulted by her brother-in-law when she threatened to report him for selling his two year-old daughter to traffickers.

The head of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, says 126 countries have outlawed domestic violence. Still, gender violence continues on every continent – an expression of culturally specific values that foster women’s subservience and promote discrimination against them. Above, in Monrovia, Liberia, demonstrators march to draw attention to the need to end violence against women (2008).

Perpetrators of violence against women often go unpunished due to a widespread culture of impunity; military and police personnel are rarely held to account for human rights abuses against civilians, especially during conflicts, according to the UN human rights agency. Shown, a woman from Nepal, raped by a drunken soldier, is too afraid of the military to make a formal complaint.

Ban Ki-moon says perpetrators, not victims, should feel disgrace over acts of sexual violence, the most prevalent of human rights abuse against women. The UN is working with governments, civil society and the media to raise awareness and change attitudes. Above, in Kindu, DR Congo, members of a military training are introduced to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The International Criminal Court has led the way in pursuing gender justice under the Rome Statute which established rape as a war crime, and created a new legal instrument for victims of sexual violence in armed conflicts. Shireen Fisher, President of the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, addressing the Security Council, has been commended for “historic” prosecutions in this respect.

Eliminating discrimination and achieving gender equality are fundamental to human rights. But in many countries, girls face intolerance and danger on a regular basis, including when they try to exercise their basic human right to education. In 2012, Pakistan’s teen activist, Malala Yousufzai, was shot by Taliban gunmen for her prominent role in promoting the right of girls to go to school. 

Participation by women in politics is fundamental for democracy and contributes to sustainable development, says the UN. To protect women’s political participation, in 2012, Bolivia passed a law making physical, psychological or sexual aggression towards women holding public office a punishable crime. Above, Ayara women at a forum on indigenous women and public policy.

For years, efforts to prevent and end violence have been led by women, but increasingly, men are backing the women's movement. Some 603 million women live in countries where violence against women is not yet considered a crime, says the UN, Above, men, women and children march in support of ending gender violence in Papua New Guinea, where there is no legislation criminalizing violence against women.

Under international law, countries are obligated to address violence against women, and a new UN initiative, COMMIT, showcases national efforts, such as improved laws and national action plans to aid survivors. Above, in Afghanistan, where child marriage and widespread domestic violence are linked to entrenched gender inequality, a girl lives in a shelter after escaping a forced marriage.

 The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed worldwide on 25 November each year, drawing attention to the high levels of violence in many societies and highlighting prevention strategies. The Day touches off 16 days of activism on the issue, leading up to Human Rights Day on 10 December.