Jul 2007

In preparation for the 2004 workshop, the World Bank’s Gender and Development Group organized a film series on gender-based violence. The World Bank has also funded activities of the “16 day of activism against gender violence” campaign in Indonesia.

UNIFEM, now part of UN Women, facilitates the creation and/or strengthening of strategic partnerships among governmental and civil society stakeholders and provides support to build the capacity of women’s organizations to spearhead innovative responses to violence against women at the country level.UNIFEM supports advocacy and communication strategies to stimulate awareness and commitment to end violence against women, including support to coordinated efforts by a wide range of stakeholders during the annual campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence.

UNDP advocates for the elimination of violence against women and raises awareness by promoting national and local campaigns, including the “16 days of activism against gender violence” and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. At country level, UNDP supports radio and TV shows that address violence against women, as well as production of posters and other public announcements.

Awareness-raising activities, including on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the International Day for the Elimination of Racism and Racial Discrimination, addressing violence against women are a key feature of OHCHR strategic management plan.

ESCWA undertakes awareness-raising efforts through meetings, regional conferences and seminars. The ESCWA Centre for Women devoted the March 2007 issue of its newsletter to the subject of violence against women in the ESCWA region; the newsletter was distributed on International Women’s Day 2007.

ESCAP disseminates information about prevention of violence against women and trafficking, and encourages stakeholder participation in such efforts. It organizes panel discussions, film festivals and screenings to increase awareness among different stakeholders. For example, ESCAP has facilitated the production and screening of a short film, called Young Men Speak Out.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2007, the United Nations system celebrated with a panel presentation and discussion, exhibition, and film screening on the global theme of ‘Ending impunity for violence against women’. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP and Executive Director of UNAIDS called for universal respect for women’s human rights and an end to all forms of violence against women and impunity. Copies of the Secretary-General’s study were widely distributed.

At the third session of UNESCAP’s Committee on Emerging Social Issues, 12 to 14 December 2006, the Executive Secretary called attention to the Secretary-General’s in-depth study on all forms of violence against women. Copies of the study were circulated to all Member States and Observers. The Committee considered the document entitled “Emerging issues and challenges related to gender and development” (E/ESCAP/CESI (3)/3) which covered the key findings of and recommendations of the Secretary-General’s study.

ECLAC’s awareness-raising activities on violence against women include presentation of papers and provision of training as requested by Member States. UNFPA advocates for the elimination of violence against women with parliamentarians and women’s networks.

The One-Stop Centres for victims of domestic violence, supported through UNODC’s technical assistance projects, also carry out outreach programmes and awareness-raising. Similarly, national projects contain elements of raising awareness and advocacy.