UN WomenWatch

For information on the UN's work with women and women's groups, log on to their WomenWatch website. WomenWatch is an inter-agency website and a good practice example of United Nations coordination and collaboration. It was founded by the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW).

The inter-agency website is managed by a taskforce of the Inter-Agency Network, led by the Division for the Advancement of Women. A Policy Advisory Group meets once a year.

 

November 2009

Ban Ki-moon launches UNiTE Network of Men Leaders

On 24 November, 2009, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by launching a Network of Men Leaders, a major new initiative bringing together current and former politicians, activists, religious and community figures to combat the global pandemic.

He said it was unacceptable that as many as 70% of women would experience some form of physical or sexual violence from men - mostly from their husbands, intimate partners, or someone they knew, during their lives. Men must teach each other that real men do not violate or oppress women - and that a woman's place is not just in the home or in the fields but in schools, offices and boardrooms.

Each member of the Network, part of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, which Ban Ki-moon launched last year, will work to support the longstanding efforts of women and civil society organisations worldwide to end violence, undertaking actions from raising public awareness to advocating for adequate laws.

The Secretary-General said, “As I launch this Network, I call on men and boys everywhere to join us. Break the silence. When you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back. Act. Advocate. Unite to change the practices and attitudes that incite, perpetrate and condone this violence. Violence against women and girls will not be eradicated until all of us – men and boys – refuse to tolerate it.

"Everyone can do something. For my part, I commit to doing everything in my power to ensure the success of this fight. Within and outside the United Nations, I will continue to use my Campaign to highlight the issues. Create partnerships with women to end this violence. As I launch this Network, I call on men and boys everywhere to join us.Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the South African Nobel Peace Laureate, said: "You are a weak man if you use your physical superiority to assault and brutalise women. I will continue fighting until the end of my days for the right of women and girls to live a life free from violence and abuse."

"Violence against women and girls will not be eradicated until all of us – men and boys - refuse to tolerate it. Together let us make that pledge."

 

May 2009

Addis Ababa Conference on FGM

Over four days in May last year, the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss 'on good practices in legislation to address harmful practices against women'. The 18-page report of that meeting can be downloaded here.

 

February 2008

Ban Ki-Moon launches UNiTE

In February 2008, the Secretary-General launched his UNiTE to end violence against women campaign which will continue until 2015 to coincide with the target date for the Millennium Development Goals. The campaign will focus on three key areas: global advocacy; strengthened efforts and partnerships at the national, regional and international levels; and United Nations leadership by example. As part of the campaign, the Secretary-General is personally approaching world leaders to spur action through national campaigns.

Read information on the United Nations' UNiTE campaign

 

December 2006

Launch of Violence Against Women database

In 2006, the Secretary-General of the United Nations launched his in-depth study on all forms of violence against women. In response to the Secretary-General’s study, the General Assembly adopted resolution 61/143 of 19 December 2006, calling upon Member States and the United Nations system to intensify their efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women.

Paragraph 19 of resolution 61/143:
Requests the Secretary-General to establish a coordinated database, containing data provided by States, in particular national statistical offices, including, where appropriate, through relevant United Nations entities and other relevant regional intergovernmental organizations, disaggregated by sex, age and other relevant information, on the extent, nature and consequences of all forms of violence against women, and on the impact and effectiveness of policies and programmes for, including best practices in, combating such violence.

The database will:

• Ensure easy access to comprehensive and up-to-date information on all forms of violence against women, as well as actions undertaken to address such violence
• Encourage further collection, availability, use and dissemination of data on violence against women, as well as analysis of such data
• Increase opportunities for exchange of experiences and promising practices in addressing violence against women
• Improve tracking of trends in addressing violence against women
• Strengthen the knowledge base for effective policy responses to prevent and address violence against women

The Division for the Advancement of Women/Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DAW/DESA) functions as the secretariat of the database.