Media Advisory
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Launch Campaign to End Violence against Women
WHAT: Launch of the UN Secretary-General’s Campaign to End Violence against Women
WHEN: Monday, 25 February 2008
WHERE: United Nations Headquarters, First Avenue at 46th Street
BACKGROUND
One in three women in the world is likely to be subjected to violence in her lifetime. Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, motor accidents, war and malaria, according to World Bank data. Over the past two decades, increased attention has been paid by governments, the UN System and non-governmental organizations to preventing and combating violence against women. However, much more needs to be done.
On 25 February 2008, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will launch his multi-year campaign, which aims to secure political will and increased resources to end violence against women and girls, to galvanize world public opinion to ensure action by policy makers at the highest level, and to engage men leaders and mobilize men and boys. The campaign also aims to strengthen the UN role in the movement and to create an organizational culture across the UN System that takes action to prevent and address violence against women. The campaign will run from 2008 through 2015 to coincide with the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
HIGHLIGHTS
Launch: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will launch the campaign during the opening meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, to a high-level audience of Government Ministers and Ambassadors, as well as numerous NGOs.
Along with the Secretary-General, speakers will include:
1. Ambassador Léo Mérorès, President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
2. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
3. Taina Bien Aimé, representative from the women's NGO Equality Now
Venue: Conference Room 2, 10:30 - 11:30 am Archived webcast.
Press Conference: Ms. Rachel N. Mayanja, the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women, will brief the press about the campaign. Other speakers include survivors/victims, activists and youth workers.
Room: Press Briefing Room, S-226, 12:20 approximately (guest at daily noon briefing). Archived webcast.
Interactive Panel: The Role and Responsibility of Men in Preventing Violence against Women -- An interactive dialogue with a survivor of violence, a government official and three men activists on the intrinsic contribution and responsibility of men in preventing violence against women.
Panelists include:
1. Marie Delva, a survivor of violence who turned adversity into opportunity to help herself and other survivors in Haiti
2. Todd Minerson, Executive Director of the White Ribbon Campaign – an organization working with men to end violence against women
3. Captain Aimable Mushabe, a Rwandan military officer implementing measures to protect women against violence
4. Prateek Suman Awasthi, a young leader actively working with Indian youth and women to end violence against women
5. Kevin Powell, activist and author of seven books
The discussion will be moderated by Michealene Risley, women’s advocate, author and award-winning documentarian.
Venue: Conference Room 2, 1:15- 2:45 p.m.
MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS
Accreditation: Journalists without UN accreditation who wish to attend the events should send a request on company letterhead signed by a supervisor to Gary Fowlie, Chief, UN Media Accreditation Unit, fax (212) 963-4642 or call +1 (212) 963 6934. For further information and media accreditation forms, visit www.un.org/media/accreditation
For further information or for interviews, please contact:
UN Department of Public Information
Oisika Chakrabarti: Tel: +1-917.367.9498, e-mail: mediainfo@un.org
Martina Donlon: Tel: +1-212.963.6816, e-mail: mediainfo@un.org