On the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous delivered a passionate call for urgent and transformative action to end violence against women worldwide. During her remarks at the UN Headquarters on November 25, 2024, Bahous outlined the alarming statistics surrounding gender-based violence, stressing that one woman or girl is killed every 10 minutes by an intimate partner or family member.
Despite global efforts to address gender-based violence, the statistics remain deeply troubling. “Across their lifetimes, one in three women suffers physical or sexual violence,” Bahous noted, highlighting that this figure has remained unchanged for a decade. The persistence of such violence, especially in the face of concerted global efforts, underscores the urgent need for systemic change. Bahous declared that this ongoing reality is “unacceptable” and emphasized that ending violence against women requires more than just awareness it demands transformative, long-term action.
Bahous used the occasion to condemn the widespread violence faced by women in conflict zones around the world. She pointed to the dire situations in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, where women and girls are subjected to atrocities such as mass rape, sexual slavery, and forced displacement. These women often face not only the immediate horrors of war but also long-lasting physical and psychological trauma. In these environments, the vulnerability of women and girls is exacerbated by the collapse of social systems and the breakdown of law and order.
In addition to the physical and sexual violence that continues to plague many societies, Bahous also addressed the rise of technology-fueled abuse. With the increasing digitalization of society, online harassment has become a serious issue. Bahous pointed out that women in politics and younger girls, particularly those as young as 14, are disproportionately affected by online abuse. This form of violence often goes unnoticed, yet it has devastating effects on the well-being and safety of women, limiting their ability to participate fully in society, work, and politics.
Bahous commended global and national initiatives aimed at combating gender-based violence. Among these is the UN’s Spotlight Initiative, which seeks to prevent violence for over 21 million women and girls by 2025. The initiative aims to strengthen legal frameworks, enhance support systems for survivors, and address the root causes of violence. Bahous highlighted that while such initiatives are making a positive impact, they must be scaled up significantly if the goal of eliminating violence against women is to be achieved.
“No country has yet eliminated violence against women,” Bahous remarked, calling for increased investment, innovation, and unwavering political will. She emphasized that real change requires collective action at every level of society, from governments to civil society organizations to individuals. “Ending violence against women is not a mere aspiration; it is a moral imperative,” she said, urging global leaders to prioritize women’s safety in their policies and to dedicate the necessary resources to ending gender-based violence.
Despite the daunting challenges, Bahous expressed optimism, citing the resilience of women and the strength of the collective will to bring about change. “Change is coming because women are resilient, and our collective will is strong,” she affirmed. “We will not stop until women and girls everywhere live free from violence.” This determination echoes the sentiments of countless activists and organizations working tirelessly to ensure that the rights of women and girls are upheld, and that they can live in a world free from violence.
As the world commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Bahous’s message serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of this global crisis. It is a call to action for governments, institutions, and individuals to stand united in the fight against gender-based violence. The UN Women Executive Director’s words encapsulate the essence of the struggle for women’s rights: a belief that change is possible, and that the pursuit of a world free from violence for women and girls is not only necessary but achievable.
