UN Secretary-General: Violence Against Women is a Serious Obstacle to Sustainable Development

Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, stated in a message on Friday, marking November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, that violence against women and girls is not only a violation of human rights but also a 'serious obstacle' to sustainable development. According to the official UN website, Mr. Ban called for meaningful and real actions to prevent such violence. In his message, the UN Secretary-General emphasized that 'violence against women imposes heavy costs on families, communities, and economies.' He pointed out the economic costs of violence against women, stating that it causes 'great pain and suffering for them and also deprives them of their right to play an active social role.' Ban Ki-moon asserted that the world cannot afford the costs of such actions. Women and girls cannot bear such costs and should not have to endure them. The UN Secretary-General added, 'Nevertheless, such violence against women continues every day around the world.' Ban Ki-moon urged world leaders to increase the necessary budgets in relevant areas, especially regarding the women's movement and civil society organizations, while fulfilling international commitments. An article published on the official UN website on this occasion emphasized the need to raise public awareness, eradicate poverty and violence, and call for action against gender inequalities.