United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called for commitment and measures to ensure rights to women across the world. "On this International Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to women's human rights," the Secretary General said in his message on International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women.
"Let us invest more resources in countering this violence and let us do all we can to end these horrific assaults once and for all," he added. The UN Secretary General said in the ten years since the General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the circle of engagement has widened.
"More groups and individuals, including men and boys, are getting involved in efforts to prevent and address this heinous violation of women's human rights." He noted there has also been significant progress at the national level as many countries have adopted laws and comprehensive action plans. "Women around the world are the very linchpin keeping families, communities, and nations together and we need to reaffirm their right," he added.
The United Nations General Assembly by resolution 54/134 of December 17, 1999, had designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and invited governments, international organisations and NGOs to organise activities designated to raise public awareness to eliminate all kinds of violence against women.