Commission on the Status of Women, March 4 – 15 (NYC)

Exploring Links between Violence Against Women and Sexual and Reproductive Health

Fifty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women focuses on eliminating violence against women and girls

Preventing Sexual Abuse: Educating Girls and Young Women

In Canada alone, Women and girls are more likely than men to experience violence and assault in intimate and family relationships. Over 80% of victims of sexual assault are women or girls. Dating violence is a growing problem. Given these realities, awareness and education are critical tools. For young women and girls, adults can talk to them about their personal rights and personal boundaries. They should always be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to call for help from families, friends or other support options in the community. For all youth, it is important to learn how to build healthy relationships. It is also important to remind young men and boys that they are part of the solution.

Women and girls are more likely than men to experience violence and assault in intimate and family relationships.

Over 80% of victims of sexual assault are women or girls.

Dating violence is a growing problem.

Given these realities, awareness and education are critical tools. For young women and girls, adults can talk to them about their personal rights and personal boundaries. They should always be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to call for help from families, friends or other support options in the community. For all youth, it is important to learn how to build healthy relationships. It is also important to remind young men and boys that they are part of the solution.

UNITED NATIONS, New York —
The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls will be the focus of this year’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

The Commission, to convene in New York from 4 to 15 March, is the main global policy-making body that addresses gender equality and women’s advancement.

During CSW, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, will underscore the importance of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights in efforts to prevent and mitigate violence against women and girls.

It will also organize a number of events with partners to address these issues, including:

Tuesday, 5 March

High-Level Side Event on Sexual Violence: Forms, Consequences and Interventions 

Where: Conference Room B, North Lawn Building, UN Secretariat
When: 11:30 A.M – 12:45 P.M

Tuesday, 5 March

Executive Directors’ Forum on Violence against Women and Girls

Where: Conference Room: 2, North Lawn Building, UN Secretariat
When: 1:15 P.M. – 2.45 P.M.

Participants will discuss the forms of sexual violence that are prevalent in different settings; consequences of such violence on victims and survivors; some of the promising practices that address the issue; and the kinds of obstacles and challenges faced in addressing sexual violence in various settings.

Thursday, 7 March

High-Level Side Event on the Role of Data in Addressing and Preventing Violence against Women and Girls

Where: Conference Room B, North Lawn Building, UN Secretariat
When: 11 A.M. – 12:45 P.M.

Issues to be addressed include key areas that data collection systems on violence against women and girls must focus on; some promising practices in related data collection and analysis; and key obstacles and challenges faced in collecting and analyzing such data.

Joint Inter-agency Initiative on “Critical VAW Services” – Commitment by UN Agencies

During the event, UNFPA and UN Women will launch a global initiative on access to critical services for victims and survivors of violence.

Where: UN Secretariat (TBD)
When: 6:15 P.M. – 7:45 P.M.

Media Interviews

Journalists interested in interviewing UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, or other participants, please contact:

Mandy Kibel: Tel: +1 212 297 5293; [email protected]
Omar Gharzeddine: Tel: +1 212 297 5028; [email protected]