Prevention must start early, and address
the root causes of violence, such as
gender stereotypes and social norms
that foster unequal power relations
between women and men.
efforts are intersectional and address
the most vulnerable and marginalized,
including older women, rural women,
indigenous women, refugee and
immigrant women, women in poverty,
women with disabilities, and those in
the LBTQI community.
We know that the best way to end
violence against women and girls is to
prevent it from happening in the first
place. Prevention must start early, and
address the root causes of violence,
such as gender stereotypes and social
norms that foster unequal power
relations between women and men.
We must get men to confront this
violence in themselves and in their
communities, and teach fathers how
to model non-violent behaviours to
their sons and daughters and promote
concepts of positive masculinity.
Prevention also involves addressing
the alarming rates of violence against
women and girls in public spaces,
schools and workplaces, ensuring
women’s economic autonomy,
increasing women’s access to
education, and boosting their
participation in decision-making,
including while exercising their
political rights.
These efforts must be met with an
effective response. Zero tolerance
means zero impunity. This includes the
adoption and implementation of laws and
policies, prosecution of offenders and
just and prompt reparations for survivors.
It also means improved accessibility
of quality services for survivors,
effective coordination across sectors
and stakeholders and improved data
collection. Over the past three decades,
we have seen States making progress
in these key areas. These efforts are
moving us in the right direction, but we
still have a long road ahead.
It is also crucial that we sensitize
the public to the harm done to women
and girls by violence, and galvanize
a loud and unified response when
incidents occur. We saw the power
and attention generated by such
public outcry following the drugging,
abduction and violent gang rape of
a 16-year-old girl in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil this May, and after the brutal
gang-rape and subsequent death
of a 23-year-old woman on a bus in
New Delhi, India in 2012. The media
and entertainment industries can
also play a vital role in building public
awareness. Films such as the Academy
Award winning A Girl in the River: the
Price of Forgiveness have allowed
audiences to understand what is
behind so-called honour killings
and to build consensus for change.
Zero tolerance is underpinned and
sustained by better comprehension.
Taking a zero tolerance approach
to violence against women and girls is
a key component of achieving gender
equality and a more sustainable, just
and peaceful planet for all. When we
work together across countries, sectors,
and levels, we can ensure all women
and girls lead full and productive lives,
free of violence, and eliminate gender-
based violence once and for all. ■
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