Yesterday, the Caribbean region officially joined the United Nations UNiTE campaign, a mission to end international violence against women. The campaign was launched by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2008, calling for nations to make systemic changes in order to address sexual violence.
It is estimated that today, 1 in 3 women living in the Caribbean experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Prosecutions and convictions of abusers, however, remain extremely low. Participation in the UNiTE campaign is intended to raise awareness of sexual violence in the region, improve methods of prevention and and services for victims of gender-based violence, and educate girls and boys to embrace equality and challenge destructive gender stereotypes.
“Violence against women must not be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance, by any political leader or by any government. There can be no exceptions, no excuses and no delay,” said the Secretary-General at the launch of the campaign in Barbados yesterday.
-Elizabeth Newton
SOURCE: UN News Centre
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