The UN Secretary General īs campaign, “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women” is galvanizing action across the United Nations system. It calls for all countries to put in place, by the year 2015, strong laws, multi-sectoral action plans, preventive measures, data collection, and systematic efforts to address sexual violence in conflict situations. The campaign encourages governments, organizations and individuals to join in these efforts.
Despite the efforts and progress in combating Violence against Women, one in three women in Bosnia and Herzegovina still suffer from some kind of gender based violence in their lifetime. Such violence undermines development, generates instability, and makes peace that much harder to maintain. We must demand accountability for the violations, and take concrete steps to end impunity.
The UN is supporting the Governments and Civil Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in increasingly working on preventing and combating Violence against Women, working on all levels with policy makers and institutions. Furthermore efforts are being intensified in providing appropriate support to women victims of violence. In addition, prevention measures are being implemented with all stakeholders, including youth, men, faith-based groups and vulnerable population groups.
On this International Day, let us in Bosnia and Herzegovina reaffirm our commitment to gender equality; let us invest more resources in countering this very serious violation of womenīs human rights. Therefore the UN in BiH encourages all to mark the 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence, by participating in activities taking place all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, from the 25th of November until the 10th of December.