“One woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by an intimate partner or a family member.
“Precisely where they should be most safe, they are least safe, with some 60 percent of intentional killings of women and girls taking place in the home.
“Across their lifetime, one in three women, around three-quarters of a billion, are subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner or by a non-partner during their lives.”
This was the alarm sounded by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous in a speech at the high-level meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, at the UN Headquarters, on Nov. 25. It is based on new data released by the UN Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which says: “For at least 51,100 women in 2023, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act — their murder by partners and family members. That means a woman was killed every 10 minutes.”
Violence against women (VAW) is “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life,” as defined by the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women issued in 1993.
The international day also marks the start of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, an initiative that started in 2008. In the Philippines, the campaign ends on Dec. 12, the anniversary of the signing of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women, and Children, which was a supplement to the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crimes.
On Nov. 25, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and the UNFPA, (United Nations Population Fund, formerly the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, and SM Cares, led the ceremonial lighting of the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) globe, marking the start of the campaign.
“Since the Philippines joined this global campaign in 2002, it has evolved into a powerful platform for raising awareness about the widespread prevalence of VAW. The campaign has played a pivotal role in advocating for the passage of landmark laws, such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) in 2003 and the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) in 2004. Over the years, it has also been instrumental in promoting other key legislation aimed at protecting women, such as the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313),” said Ms. Ermelita Valdeavilla, PCW chairperson.
The Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) covers gender-based sexual harassment in various settings, including public spaces, workplaces, schools and the online space. Online, the UN said “16 to 58 percent of women globally experience technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Generation Z and Millennials are the most affected.”
Dr. Leila Joudane, country representative, UNFPA Philippines, said: “Though progress has been made in the Philippines – with strengthened legislation and increased partner engagement – much work remains. Now is the time to scale up our efforts.” She emphasized the need to strengthen prevention efforts, enhance comprehensive support services for survivors, and collaborate with key influencers to challenge the deeply rooted social norms that perpetuate gender-based violence.
The UN Women executive director ended her speech with a thought that should guide initiatives to end VAW:
“We should not doubt for a moment that we will see a world free of violence for women and girls, for our children and theirs.”