UN chief: GBV is Not Inevitable

Sudan Events – Sumaya Sayed

In a virtual event to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, commemorated annually on 25 November, UN Women chief Sima Bahous described gender-based violence (GBV) as “a global crisis”.
“In all our own neighbourhoods, there are women and girls living in danger. Around the world, conflict, climate-related natural disasters, food insecurity and human rights violations are exacerbating violence against women”, she said.
And according to UN Women, more than 70 per cent have experienced GBV in some crisis settings.
As UN Secretary-General, António Guterres has said, “Violence against women is not inevitable”. Putting accountability front and centre is essential to challenging cultures of impunity and opening pathways to justice for survivors.