Feature Stories
These stories reflect the efforts of UN Women and its partners around the world to help prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.
AFRICA
As elections approach, school kids cast their vote against violence in Kenya
On the eve of Kenya’s Presidential elections on 4 March, schools and communities are raising awareness to prevent both electoral and domestic violence. Using theatre, art and an essay-writing competition, kids are tackling how to identify and report incidents of violence. Read more »
How I stopped grandma from ironing my budding breasts
Cameroonian journalist and women’s rights advocate Chi Yvonne Leina is founder and coordinator of Gender Danger, a grassroots organization that is fighting to end the practice of breast ironing in Cameroon. Her first-hand account is part of UN Women’s new “In the Words of…” series. Read more »
AMERICAS
Aty Cuña: Indigenous women’s assemblies tackling cases of violence and rights violations
On the Brazil-Paraguay border, women leaders of the indigenous Guarani-Kaiowa and Ayoreo communities are organizing themselves to protect their rights and their dynamic women’s assemblies are preventing and documenting violence against women cases. Read more »
Training ‘salmon’ in El Salvador: police units assist women in situations of violence
Under the new law against gender-based violence in El Salvador, a Specialized Institutional Unit to assist women in situations of violence has been created within the National Civil Police. Its members have earned the nickname of “salmon” since they go against the current. Read more »
ARAB STATES
From play-acting to real-life action: a journey to end harassment on public transit in Egypt
Rush hour subway and bus commuters watch sexual harassment scenarios acted out by theatre youth groups as part of a transit campaign by UN Women’s Safe Cities programme in Cairo. They urge commuters to break their passivity and act to prevent violence against women. Read more »
In Palestine, a Centre offers shelter and changes lives for survivors of violence
At the Mehwar Centre, survivors are healing their wounds, rebuilding their self-esteem and getting an education so that they can transform their lives. Read more »
ASIA/PACIFIC
In Viet Nam, a new study reveals domestic violence costs 1.78 per cent of GDP
In efforts to address violence against women, a new study by UN Women Viet Nam calculates the economic cost of domestic violence, on household income and the economy. It also estimates that the earnings of women who experience domestic violence may be 35 per cent less than others. Read more »
Women’s collectives foster access to justice in India
Through special women’s courts and justice committees, women in eastern India have forged an increasingly respected system to access justice, which also addresses cases of violence against women. They resolve disputes through formal and informal channels, provide emotional support and counselling. Read more »
EUROPE/CIS
Tajikistan moves towards a law to prevent domestic violence
After more than 10 years of advocacy and legislative wrangling, on 19 December, 2012 Tajikistan’s Lower House of Parliament approved a bill to provide protection for survivors and prevent domestic violence. The Upper House is expected to pass it into law in the coming months. Read more »
Better services for survivors of domestic violence in Kosovan municipalities
Three municipalities in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244) are implementing a joint UN programme to better respond to domestic violence by coordinating municipal authorities, women’s organizations and front-line service providers such as police, the judiciary, social services and hospitals. Read more »
GLOBAL
A call for women: companies join efforts to end violence and empower women
Assisting acid attack survivors in Bangladesh and incorporating mass communications to combat violence against women in Turkey, we profile two of the more than 500 companies around the world that have signed the Women’s Empowerment Principles. On 6 March, some will receive leadership awards. Read more »
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