World YWCA International Women's Day Statement 25/03/09
Unite to end Violence Against Women
Every day, in many homes, women are beaten and abused. Violence against women is not only widespread-it is often fatal. The most common form of violence against women is domestic violence, but women and girls face abuse and violence at every stage of their lives. An extreme manifestation of gender inequality, violence against women is a global problem deeply ingrained in societies and has serious impacts on women's health and well-being.
The elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls is a top priority for the World YWCA. In nearly 70 countries, YWCAs provide services for women facing violence and abuse. For many women, the YWCA represents a safe space. From shelters and safe houses run by YWCAs in the USA, Canada, Zambia and Sri Lanka to campaigns to prevent trafficking championed by YWCAs in Finland, Belarus, Albania and Samoa. National and local YWCAs around the world are committed to seeing an end to violence against women. Through advocacy and services, YWCAs are working to ensure women and girls in their
communities can live lives free of violence.
communities can live lives free of violence.
On International Women's Day, the World YWCA calls on governments, international organisations and civil society to:
1. Prevent violence, ensure safety and security for women and girls
In addition to carrying out research on the cause of violence, governments must take steps to prevent violence before it starts. A strategic way to prevent violence is to introduce and enforce laws that protect women-there must be no impunity for acts of violence against women. Governments must consider initiatives, such as the YWCA Canada 'Rose Button' campaign, that call for actions to prevent violence before it starts.
One of the first obligations of CEDAW requires United Nations member states to entrench women's human rights in their constitutional and legal systems. Raising public awareness on laws that protect women is crucial in preventing violence against women.
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security calls on UN member states to take special measures to protect women and girls from violence, particularly in situations of armed conflict. Women's bodies must not be used to wage war.
2. Invest in women and girls
Adequate and accessible funding must be provided for services that provide holistic care for survivors of violence. Women's right to information must be upheld. Lack of information prevents many women from accessing services that would support them to regain dignity in
their lives.
their lives.
Organisations running programmes such as shelters for women in violent relationship, help-lines and counseling facilities must be adequately financed to ensure their services remain reliable and accessible. As Governments consider their strategies to deal with the global
financial crisis, funding and support for social services must not be cut or reduced.
financial crisis, funding and support for social services must not be cut or reduced.
3. Redefine gender stereotypes
Governments must work with civil society to change negative stereotypes as a strategy to prevent violence against women.
Information and programmes that help young women and men develop healthy relationships are crucial in order eliminate negative stereotypes. A society that understands the impact and effects of violence against women is better versed to address the issues at government and policy level. Education on violence against women must be integrated in programmes that reach different sectors of society including men and boys. Programmes such as the YWCA Week Without Violence-commemorated annually in November around the world-help
educate communities on the types of violence women in their country face.
educate communities on the types of violence women in their country face.
4. Understand intersectionality of HIV and VAW
Socio-economic factors and legal challenges that put many HIV-positive women at risk of violence must be addressed. The World YWCA is particular concerned about recent laws some countries are adopting that criminalize HIV. These laws have a particular impact on women and leave them vulnerable to violence. Governments, international organisations and civil society must ensure that laws and policies that uphold women's human rights are implemented in order to protect women from violence.
The World YWCA joins with the global community to call for an end to violence against women and ensure women and girls can live lives free of violence.
The World YWCA is a global network of women and young women leading social and economic change in 125 countries. It advocates for peace, justice, human rights and care of the environment, and has been at the forefront of raising the status of women for over a century.
Contact Information
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