UN Country Team in Cambodia
Phnom Penh, 8 March 2007

What's one of the main reasons for suffering from violence? The question is asked in a UNIFEM video on the occasion of the International Women's Day, 8 March. The answer is simply: being a woman. Every third woman in the world is a victim of domestic violence.

Other common forms of violence against women include sexual violence, rape, femicide (honour killings), genital mutilation and trafficking. Violence against women is a widespread and pervasive violation of human rights. It is deeply rooted in structures of gender inequality and flourishes in a culture of impunity. Even when strong laws exist, too often this violence still goes unreported, or is not taken seriously by prosecutors and judges.

Women have a right to live their lives free from violence. Everyone dedicated to human rights and to social and economic development has a responsibility to help eliminate violence against women. Through out the world, stopping impunity will be an essential step forward.

But there have also been important achievements globally in the area of violence against women such as stronger national laws, improved criminal justice and better monitoring and implementation.

To learn more about what the UN in Cambodia is doing to end violence against women contact:

UN Communications Officer, Office Phone: Tel (855)-23 216 167
UNDP Communications Officer, Office Phone: Tel (855)- 23 216 167
UNFPA Communications Associate, Office Phone: Tel (855) - 23 215 519
OHCHR Programme Associate, Office Phone: Tel (855) - 23 212 579
UNICEF Communications Officer, Office Phone: Tel (855) -23 430 140

Attachments:

Ending Impunity for Violence against Women

Message of the UN Secretary-General

Statement from the UNDP Administrator Kemal Dervis

Message of Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director

Message by Noeleen Heyzer, UNIFEM Executive Director