(Celebrate International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
on November 25)

Everybody has the right to live free from violence.

Yet millions of girls and women across the world are denied this right.

In every region and in every country, rich or poor, in times of peace and war, girls and women suffer disproportionately from violence, simply because they are born female.

This mistreatment is often at the hands of men and boys they know and in places where they should feel safe.

And, while women of all ages experience violence, girls are particularly vulnerable as they enter adolescence. The figures are alarming.

Some 150 million girls experience sexual abuse every year and up to half of all sexual assaults worldwide are against girls under 16 years old.

Violence  can destroys a girl’s confidence and self esteem, cause psychological trauma, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, and is a significant contributing factor to girls dropping out of school.

It also costs governments billions of dollars, hampers community and national development efforts and halts progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

At the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) we believe that ending violence against women and girls is possible.

Supporting programs to prevent violence and making sure victims have access to timely and quality services is critical.

We see girls as agents of change, and want to build on the tremendous potential that you have to imagine, create and lead a better and safer world for all. 

We have been incredibly inspired by all of the hard work and dedication so many of you have invested in helping us make a difference in the lives of so many girls across the world through the Girl Up campaign.

We need to continue joining forces and are counting on each and every one of you to add your support and take action against gender-based violence.

Claudia Briones,

UN Women

PS We just found this fun (and mildly addictive) game all about protecting girls from violence. Take a quick break and play, too!http://www.saynotoviolence.org/quiz

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