Online Training Event - What is important to know about the prevention of violence against women and girls?

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to open today’s learning session for UN staff on “What is important to know about the prevention of violence against women and girls”. This is the first session of 3, and I encourage you to attend all sessions this week.

In opening today’s session, I would like to thank colleagues from Outcome Group 2 on Gender Equality for organizing this online training event. An OG that is co-lead by UNWomen and UNFPA. I would also like to thank all logged on staff for their commitment to learn more about this important topic.

As you may appreciate, I cannot stress enough how critical and fundamental advancing gender equality is to the whole mandate and mission of all UN agencies. It is even more critical within the context of the Pacific where we know that we have double the global average – 2 out of 3 women – who experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. 

We need to be absolutely clear – violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights. It is deeply rooted in gender inequality and gender-based discrimination.

We just saw the completion of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence on the 10th of December. These were an important 16 days. However, we should focus on all 365 days.  And we cannot do it alone.  This isn’t just UN Women’s job, or UNFPA’s or someone else’s. It’s every one’s job and it is critical to advancing development in the Pacific.

There is a saying, “women hold up half the sky”. Therefore, if 50% of the population is being held back due to gender-based violence, then the whole region suffers.

Perhaps importantly so, the high regional prevalence tells us that there are women in our own families, communities, as well as the UN workplaces who are impacted by violence daily. As you know, the UN urges ‘zero tolerance’ at the highest levels of leadership of the UN to end gender based  violence against women and girls. As a UN Resident Coordinator, I have the duty to lead our teams in taking measures to ensure that the UN workplace is safe and supportive for all UN staff.

I understand that this session will focus on: violence prevention and engaging men and boys in prevention work. These are really critical topics. I note that these topics are in addition to looking at the resources we have internally at the UN to support our own staff and stakeholders in accessing services and supporting survivors of violence.

I wish you a productive training session and thank the organizers for making it possible.

I also wish to commend you for attending and your commitment to advancing measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in the Pacific.

Thank you