Unifem Programs Against Violence Show Positive Results - United Nations Development Fund for Women publishes 'With an End in Sight' - Brief Article

UN WIRE (Dec. 8, 2000): http://www.unfoundation.org

"UNIFEM - the UN Development Fund for Women-launhed a new publication in December 2000 on programs worldwide to end gender based violence. The release of With an End in Sight coincided with the '16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,' (see WIN NEWS, 20-4) which ended on 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

The book highlights programs in Bosnia and Herzegovina Cambodia, Honduras, India, Kenya, Nigeria and the West Bank and Gaza. The book reveals that change is occurring at local, national and international levels. UNIFEM documents groups of women and men in every region who are challenging cultural norms, forming partnerships, working to find new ways to change attitudes that promote violence against women and lobbying for new laws, policies and services to protect women's rights. 'Eradicating violence against women requires coordinated action and commitment by many actors, including governments, civil society, the judiciary, police, media, health care workers, educators and the international community,' said UNIFEM Executive Director Noeleen Heyzer.

UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Radhika Coomaraswamy said UNIFEM's publication 'demonstrates that change is possible.' Gender-based violence against women ages 15 to 44 worldwide accounts for more death and illness than cancer, traffic injuries and malaria combined. (UNIFEM release, Dec. 7)."

COPYRIGHT 2001 Women's International Network
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