UNIFEM Launches Global Action Platform to End Violence Against Women

NAIROBI, Kenya -

UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) today launched the advocacy initiative Say NO - UNiTE to End Violence against Women which will stimulate, count and showcase actions on ending violence against women.

Up to 70 percent of women experience violence from men in their lifetime. Say NO - UniTE (www.saynoto violence.org) is a global call for action to end this pandemic violence. The initiative will contribute to the UN Secretary-General led campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women. The luxury watch manufacturer OMEGA announced a challenge grant of US $50,000 for the first 50,000 actions, a result of cooperation with UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman.

Kicking off the international effort, UNIFEM Executive Director Ines Alberdi in Nairobi along with Kenyan Minister of Gender, Children and Social Development, Esther Murugi Mathenge, visited Kenyatta Hospital which provides a one-stop shop to survivors of sexual violence, in partnership with COVAW, a UNIFEM partner. They also saw prevention efforts first-hand as they met girls at Ngara High School participating in leadership programmes, led by Kenyan organization Cradle, another UNIFEM partner.

Ms. Alberdi said: “We know that violence against women is a problem with solutions. There is an urgent need for governments to make this issue a top priority and take decisive action. UNIFEM is launching Say NO-UNiTE to trigger actions and engage people in ending violence against women.”

Applauding the initiative, Minister Esther Murugi Mathenge, said: “Ending violence against women is a top priority of the Kenyan Government and I am personally very committed to the cause. I will continue to work towards delivering more services and resources for survivors as well as prevention programs. I also call upon all segments of society, including the private sector, NGOs, academics, and in particular men to get involved so as to usher in lasting change.”

Say NO - UNiTE has already gained the support of over 80 launch partners and the multi-lingual broadcaster Euro News will also air throughout November a Public Service Announcement with Nicole Kidman.

Say NO builds upon the momentum generated in 2008 during its first phase, when 5 million signed on to a global internet campaign, including 69 Governments and 600 parliamentarians.

For more information: www.unifem.org/campaigns/sayno/

B-roll footage, photos, PSA: ftp://unifem:X3fH56k7@ftp.a24media.com/

Source: United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

Nanette Braun, +254-732-239-776, nanette.braun at unifem.org, or Oisika Chakrabarti, +1-212-906-6506, oisika.chakrabarti at unifem.org, both of UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)