Media advisory

Media advisory: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, UNODC and UN Women are publishing a joint report with the latest data on femicide from 2021, showing that their closest ones are often women and girls’ biggest threat, and that figures remain largely unchanged over the last decade.

This year, the official commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women at UN Headquarters will take place on 23 November and will be followed by a press conference on the joint UNODC and UN Women global study on gender-related killings (femicide/feminicide).

In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing conflicts, crises, and emergencies have intensified all forms of violence against women and girls. Furthermore, the pushback on women’s rights has resulted in a shrinking space for civil society and a rise in attacks against women human rights defenders and activists. However, evidence demonstrates that the presence of a strong and autonomous feminist movement is the single most critical factor to drive policy change in ending violence against women and girls.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is an international campaign that was started and is led by civil society. In support of this initiative, the UN Secretary General launched the UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign in 2008 to call for greater global action to end violence against women. The global theme for this year’s UNiTE campaign is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”, calling upon governments and partners to show their solidarity to women’s rights movements and activists and inviting everyone to join the global movement in ‘pushing forward’ against the push back, to end violence against women once and for all.

Members of the media are invited to attend the following events:

The Official UN Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

When: Wednesday, 23 November, 10.00 – 11.30 a.m. EST.

Where: ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters, (46th St and 1st Ave), New York

Under the global umbrella theme of the 2022 UNiTE campaign: “UNiTE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”, the commemoration event will echo with voices of feminists from all over the world reminding us how violence against women and girls in all our diversity is not only preventable, but it must also urgently be prevented.

Confirmed participants include, among others:

  • Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General
  • Sima Bahous, Executive Director UN Women
  • Mana Shooshtari, Iranian Diaspora Activist
  • Ingrid Beck (Argentina), Journalist, #NiUnaMenos Movement
  • Janet Mbuguya (Kenya), Founder Inua Dada Foundation
  • Sonita Alizadeh, Afghan Rapper and Activist
  • Bronwyn Kili (Papua New Guinea), UNFPA Young Ambassador

The event will be moderated by Ms. Femi Oke, Senior Journalist at Al Jazeera (English), and also includes a performance by Sing for Hope Choir.

The UN commemoration event is open to the media. Non-UN ground pass holders can register here by 18 November or follow the livestream on UN WebTV.

Dress code: As the official colour of the UNiTE campaign, the colour orange symbolizes a brighter future and a world free from violence against women and girls. We invite you to wear a touch of orange at the event to show your support to end violence against women and girls.

Press conference to launch UN Women and UNODC’s joint report with global estimates on femicide

When: Wednesday, 23 November, 12.00 – 1.00 p.m. EST.

Where: S-0237, UN Press Conference Room, UN Headquarters, (46th St and 1st Ave), New York

The press conference will present the findings of UN Women and UNODC’s joint report with global estimates of gender-related killings of women and girls in the private sphere in 2021. The report comes ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November and is a horrific reminder that violence against women and girls is the most pervasive human rights violation worldwide. Following the findings in the report, the press conference will also reflect on how femicide and other forms of violence against women and girls can be prevented.

Participants will include:

  • Kalliopi Mingeirou, Chief of the Ending Violence against Women Section, UN Women
  • Delphine Schantz, Head of the New York Office, UNODC

The event is open to UN accredited media, and will be webcast live on UN Web TV.

UN Women representatives as well as some of the activists and partners present at the official commemoration event are available for interviews. For interview or further information requests, please contact [ Click to reveal ].

For editorial and social media content on this year´s 16 Days, please check this link from Friday 18 November.

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