Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK1123
2008-12-01 21:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

UNIFEM EVENT HIGHLIGHTS WIDESPREAD COMMITMENT TO

Tags:  KWMN PHUM UN UNIFEM 
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VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1123 3362136
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 012136Z DEC 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5447
INFO RUEHXX/GENEVA IO MISSIONS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 3447
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001123 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO, S/WE, G/IWI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PHUM UN UNIFEM
SUBJECT: UNIFEM EVENT HIGHLIGHTS WIDESPREAD COMMITMENT TO
END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001123

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO, S/WE, G/IWI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PHUM UN UNIFEM
SUBJECT: UNIFEM EVENT HIGHLIGHTS WIDESPREAD COMMITMENT TO
END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN


1. On November 25, UNIFEM hosted a high-level event at the
U.N. headquarters entitled "United Voices Say NO To Violence
Against Women." The event featured seven distinguished
speakers, including SYG Ban Ki-moon and UNIFEM Goodwill
Ambassador Nicole Kidman. The event was held as part of
UNIFEM's "Say NO To Violence Against Women" campaign, a
global advocacy and awareness effort to end violence against
women.


2. The event concluded the campaign's first year-long phase,
which aimed to gather one million signatures from people
around the world demanding that governments prioritize ending
violence against women. This initial goal was greatly
surpassed in this first year and over five million signatures
were presented to SYG Ban Ki-moon at the event. Among the
signatories were numerous high-level officials from countries
and organizations around the world. SYG Ban Ki-moon, as well
as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, both signed on to the
campaign. In addition, heads of state and ministers
representing 60 governments have added their signatures to
support the campaign.


3. The event was held on the International Day for the
Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the speakers took
this opportunity to draw attention to this global problem.
In celebration of the campaign's successful first year and to
raise awareness of the issue, speakers focused on promising
initiatives to combat this problem in countries such as
Rwanda, as well as regions where efforts must be redoubled,
such as the DRC. Speakers made clear that the initiative is
intended to address violence of any kind that is directed
towards women, including domestic violence as well as
violence in conflict situations.


4. The remarks made by Secretary Rice upon her signing on to
the Campaign on November 19, 2008 can be found at
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2008/11/112 058.htm.
Wolff