UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet Unveils Comprehensive Policy Agenda to End Violence against Women
Date:
UN Women Press Release
For immediate release
Media Contact: Oisika Chakrabarti, Media Specialist, oisika.chakrabarti[at]unwomen.org, +1 646 781-4522.
United Nations, New York, 22 November 2011 — In her first message for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, since UN Women became operational earlier this year, Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet outlines a comprehensive policy agenda to end violence against women globally. Violence against women is pandemic but there has been progress.
Today 125 countries have specific laws that penalize domestic violence, a remarkable gain from just a decade ago, and equality between women and men is guaranteed in 139 countries and territories. But women continue to be subjected to violence. Estimates indicate, up to six in ten women have suffered physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, a majority from their husbands or partners.