Altaf Hamid Rao.
MIRPUR (AJK): International Day for elimination of violence against women is being obsrved the world over including Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir on November 25.
In a message on this occasion, Secretary General of the United Nations Organisation Antonio Guterres said that the United Nations is committed to ending all forms of violence against women and girls.
He continued that these abuses are among the world’s most horrific, persistent and widespread human rights violations, affecting one in every three women in the world.
That means someone around you. A family member, a co-worker, a friend. Or even you yourself.
Sexual violence against women and girls is rooted in centuries of male domination.
Let us not forget that the gender inequalities that fuel rape culture are essentially a question of power imbalances.
Stigma, misconceptions, underreporting and poor enforcement of the laws only perpetuate impunity.
And rape is still being used as a horrendous weapon of war.
All of that must change… now.
I call on governments, the private sector, civil society and people everywhere to take a firm stand against sexual violence and misogyny.
We must show greater solidarity with survivors, advocates and women’s rights defenders.
And we must promote women’s rights and equal opportunities.
Together, we can – and must — end rape and sexual assault of all kinds.
