Violence against women is never acceptable: UN chief on the eve of International Women's Day

07 March, 2013

On the eve of International Women's Day (IWD) 2013, to be observed with the theme 'A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women', UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message stated, 'There is one universal truth, applicable to all countries, cultures and communities that violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable.'

On the occasion of IWD this year, UN seeks to strengthen international community’s commitment to put an end to violence against women, and has called on all governments, civil society, women’s organizations, men, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire UN system to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women.

According to the UN, over the years things have come to such a pass that up to 70% of women in the world experience physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime. Furthermore, up to 50% of sexual assaults are committed against girls under the age of 16.

Also, a theme song 'One Woman' will be released on March 8 on the Internet in which acclaimed singers and musicians from China to Costa Rica, from Mali to Malaysia, , women and men, have come together to spread a message of unity and solidarity.

UN feels that for the women of the world; the IWD is an occasion for the world community to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. “Until the men and women work together to secure the rights and full potential of women, lasting solutions to the world's most serious social, economic and political problems are unlikely to be found,” adds UN.