Press Conference on Secretary-General’s ‘Network of Men Leaders’,

Part of ‘UNiTE to End Violence against Women’ Campaign

Up to 70 per cent of women at some point in their lifetime experienced physical or sexual violence by men, most from someone they knew, which meant that men had a crucial role in ending such abuse -- as fathers, friends and decision-makers, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today at a Headquarters press briefing, following the launch of a major initiative to engage politicians, activists, religious and community figures in that charge.

The “Network of Men Leaders”, part of the “UNiTE to End Violence against Women” campaign launched last year, would raise public awareness, advocate for adequate laws and encourage men to act as role models for other young men and boys everywhere, Mr. Ban said.

Recalling that today marked the tenth anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, he said the campaign, bolstered by a trust fund administered by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), would award $10.5 million to 13 initiatives in 18 countries that addressed sexual abuse, sexual violence in conflict and the intersection of violence against women and HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation and trafficking.  It sought to raise $100 million annually for the Fund by 2015.

“Just as women’s rights are human rights, women’s issues are people’s issues […] we need to do much, much more,” he said.

Joining the Secretary-General in that appeal were Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand; Knut Storberget, Minister of Justice and Police of Norway; and Ghida Anani, Programme Coordinator at KAFA (“Enough”) Violence & Exploitation, a leading non-governmental organization working to end gender-based violence in Lebanon.

Mr. Storberget underscored that children, standing beside their mothers and sisters, were the “silent witnesses” to such violence.  While all men should engage in the issue, “men with power should do it immediately,” he said, notably through better law enforcement and developing a new approach to address the needs of women in abusive situations.  Women needed more help than was currently available, and it was time for non-governmental organizations and political parties alike to mobilize men.

For her part, Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol said violence against women was a global phenomenon that had to be urgently addressed through collective efforts.  There was no one-size-fits-all solution, and prevention could be as effective as a cure, particularly through fostering a culture of tolerance and respect for women.  The Network would send a strong message that violence against women would not be tolerated.

Sharing her experience, as a UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador, in implementing the “Say No to Violence against Women” campaign in Thailand last year, she focused on the