41 new commitments to ending violence against women

Governments

Government of Albania

“Strengthening government mechanisms for the prevention and treatment of violence against women and domestic violence cases and the greater involvement of men and boys as part of the solution will significantly advance the empowerment of women and guaranteeing of equal opportunities for women in Albania.” 

Government of the Central African Republic

“The Central African Republic is committed to preventing sexual violence based on gender, to end impunity and provide assistance to survivors and victims by the implementation of a national program of holistic care, in accordance with instruments international and subregional, to which the country has subscribed.”

Government of Australia

“Australia’s November 2015 pledge of $6 million over three years to the UN Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women underscores the Government’s strong commitment to this agenda. In Australia, a new $100 million Women’s Safety Package will provide practical, immediate actions to keep women and their children safe.”

Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan

“The Government of Azerbaijan reaffirms its commitment for improving national referral mechanism for the victims of the violence against women through inter alia integration of gender based violence prevention and response actions into country-level contingency, preparedness and response plans in line with the country’s international obligations under the CEDAW Convention and UPR mechanism.”

Government of Democratic Republic of Congo

“For the Global Meeting for Ending Violence Against Women and in the name of the Democratic Republic of Congo, we take the commitment to promote an inclusive education where girls and boys are educated and socialized to support a culture of human rights that rejects violence against women in all its forms.” – Mrs. Jeanine Mabunda L, Special Representative of the President for fight against sexual violence and child recruitment.

Government of Costa Rica

“Costa Rica makes every effort to guarantee women the right to a life free of violence in its many manifestations, domestic, sexual and workplace harassment, street, political, symbolic violence. We will move forward in the prevention of gender violence directed to cultural change, positive masculinity and women's empowerment actions. We will incorporate media as a body of socialization towards preventing violence. We commit ourselves to the provision of financial resources to give sustainability to the actions that prioritize the right of access to justice and reparation and vital economic and social recovery of women in situations of violence. ”

Government of Georgia

“Government of Georgia commits to take further steps to eliminate all forms of violence against women, including gender based and domestic violence, and guarantee equal access to justice for women, through conducting various and systematic preventive measures, combating stereotypes and harmful practices and adopting gender sensitive legislation in line with Istanbul Convention.”

Government of Guinea

 “The Government of Guinea is engaged to do more to eliminate all forms of violence, by mobilizing the social body and each actor for the strict application of the legislation, education for change harmful social norms for women and girls and creating opportunities for social, economic and political in their favor.”

Government of Guyana

“Girls become women and women are pillars of strength. The Government of Guyana pledges to educate our girls to become empowered women. Investment in the education of our girl is an investment in the development of the family, community and country. The people of Guyana will stand against all forms of violence, especially those perpetrated against our women and girls.”

Government of Japan

“Ending violence against is essential to accelerate gender equality and women's empowerment. Japan is committed to implementing the Beijing Platform for Action and further enhancing the efforts to achieve the 2030 agenda. Japan will vigorously promote measures domestically and overseas to end violence against women, so that we can realize ‘a society where women shine’.”

High Council of Women Affairs in Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq

 “The most Challenge that face programs of ending violence against women in our region; in current situation, is Extremism, Violence & Terrorism. We commit to provide Empowerment of Women Programs, both realistic & practical (in different sectors, such as Educational, Economic, Social, Cultural, etc….), to face such idealism in the Region. To struggle for immediate response on international levels to Support an international Resolution to condemn crimes & acts of ISIL & terrorism groups against our Women & Girls from minority communities, such as Yazidis & Christians in Iraq & Syria.”

Government of Moldova

“In our modern society, violence against women and girls is not a problem of specific country, it’s a global problem that harms all members of communities. This phenomenon can be prevented and combated by involving more women at the high decision-making position and active involvement of men in combating domestic violence.” - Nighina Azizov, Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family of Republic of Moldova

Government of the Netherlands

“The Netherlands reconfirms its commitment to end VAWG in line with the 2030 agenda, and pledges to translate words into action, at the national and international level, and by all available means of implementation: through our human rights and gender diplomacy, bilateral and multilateral program support, and substantial financial resources.”

Government of Palestine

“State of Palestine is committed to support access to justice for victimized women; provide and secure safe accommodation and shelters; and improve collection and quality of VAW prevalence data. The State of Palestine is also committed to accelerate and facilitate the full implementation of the National Referral System for victimized women.” 

“All Governmental and nongovernmental Palestinian institutions agree that it is an obligation to combat violence against women as well as provide all the needed procedures in addition to implementing the direct and indirect national policies to guarantee putting an end to violence against women.” - Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics

Government of Philippines

“The Government of the Philippines commits to monitor the implementation of laws on violence against women; strengthen VAW mechanisms and services; harmonize data collection on VAW; intensify collaboration with men’s networks against VAW; upgrade training of social workers, guidance counselors, police, health workers, and prosecutors towards gender-responsive service delivery; and implement the ASEAN Declaration on Violence Against Women and Regional Plan of Action."

Government of Sierra Leone

“My commitment is anchored in a pronouncement by our President that "violence against any woman is violence against the state”. In addition to the laws that have been passed, my government will ensure that victims of SGBV receive comprehensive response services and perpetrators are prosecuted and punished severely.”

The United Republic of Tanzania

“The Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Community Development Gender and Children will continue strengthening response and prevention of GBV by reviewing the national plan of action for the prevention of violence against women and children (NPA 2001 - 2015) to enhance the commitment of key actors to address the GBV challenges. GoT also commits to coordinating, monitoring and evaluation of the new NPA and to raising awareness of acts of violence against women and girls in educational institutions, work place and in communities.”

“The Government of Tanzania Zanzibar through the Ministry of Empowerment Social Welfare Youth, Women and Children is committed to end violence against women by finalizing the development and implementation of the five years national plan of action (2015 -2020) to end violence against women and children as well strengthen Shehia GBV committees (at the Grassroot level) to combat violence against women and children in their localities.”

Government of Togo

“We are committed on behalf of the Togolese government, to pool our efforts with public/private institutions and civil society to ensure justice for women and girls subjected to any act of violence in accordance with our laws and in building capacity to enforce their rights."

Government of Turkey

“In a coordinative, holistic and interdisciplinary manner, the following steps will be taken by the government of Turkey: Preventing violence against women and girls; protecting and empowering the victims and survivors of violence against women and girls in every respect; raising social awareness; and creating and strengthening necessary legal infrastructure.”

Government of Vietnam

"Vietnam government would make effort to eliminate all forms of violence against women by synchronously take actions, including communications toward behavior change; capacity building for policy makers, service providers and staffs from central to grassroots level and enhancing effectiveness of response services to violence through pilot model.”

Civil Society Organizations

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

“I, as Chairperson of Afghanistan independent Human Rights Commission, continue my commitment for elimination of violence against women, through awareness raising about human rights and equality for all. Promoting rule of law, accountability, justice and calling for end to the culture of impunity for sexual violence everywhere without exception.” – Sima Samar, Chairperson of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission

Al-Amal Association and Iraqi Women Network

 “In Iraq, on behalf of Al-Amal Association and Iraqi Women Network, we pledge to intensify our advocacy campaign during 2016 for enacting a fair bill for combating violence against women and creating mechanisms and tools to protect and empower GBV survivors as prerequisite to build peace and gender justice.”

Association Network of Afro-latin-american, Afro-Caribbean and from the Diaspora Women

"ARMAAD reaffirms its struggle to denounce and make visible all violence or incitement to violence against women and girls of African-descent (including racism and racial discrimination), so the States prevent, suppress and punish it as priority for societies with respect for life and human rights, equality, equity, justice and peace."

Care International, Egypt

“CARE’s Egypt will contribute to end GBV by censuring engaging men and boys for combating GBV and influencing power relation , fighting negative social norms , empower women through innovative models, strengthen local civil society organization for working as women’s advocacy and leadership platform, keep working in fruitful partnership with government and stakeholders.”

Center for Domestic Violence Prevention (CEDOVIP), Uganda

“Center for Domestic Violence Prevention is more than committed to continue spearheading work with men and women at the grassroots to prevent violence against women through changing social norms and continue to use our SASA! Work in Kampala and Uganda to give practical skills to activists from the region who are interested in working with communities to prevent VAW. We shall use the newly launched guidelines to strengthen our current work aimed at influence institutional changes within the Uganda Police Force, Health Sector, and Judiciary and referral points to create a supportive environment that promotes the needs and safety of the survivor as well as holds the perpetrator accountable for their action.” 

EcHO Educational Humanitarian Organization

“On behalf of Macedonian women, I am committed to advocate and raise my voice against gender based violence and to support establishment of society where women and girls will live their full potential in equality and justice.” – Beti Pejeva, EcHO Educational Humanitarian Organization

Jagori, India

 “Jagori’s commitment to ending violence against women and girls remains our principal focus. We continue to oppose patriarchal mindsets towards ensuring freedoms for women/girls; to support women survivors to lead a life of dignity; and to build alternative visions incorporating gender equality, social justice and diverse ways of being.”

Metta Development Foundation (Metta), Myanmar

 “The Metta Development Foundation (Metta) will work together with all stakeholders to put an equal emphasis on preventing and responding to Gender Based Violence. It will continue its engagement with men and boys in addressing the issue of gender inequality and provide lifesaving, emergency psychosocial and medical care to the marginalized communities."

National Taekwondo Federation of Tajikistan

“Unite athletes through sport to promote gender equality in the world. Expand and extend the network of male sport leaders-gender advocates. Increase capacities of girls and women aiming at equal opportunities and rights in sport and social life. Fight for a fairer world based on mutual respect and equality." 

Save Somali Women and Children

 “In addressing gender-based violence, there is an understanding that different population groups need to be targeted and responded to differently. SSWC Strategy will use different approaches of community engagement to aim the whole population targeting the following key groups: Men, Youth, Women, Religious leaders, Elders and camp leaders.”

Steward Women, South Sudan

“On this 20^th review of the Beijing Platform for Action, we commit to zero tolerance in ending violence against women by making use of community resources such as working with traditional chiefs in handling incidences of violence against women. It is slow but sure.”

Youth Peer Educational Network (Y-PEER)

“Y-PEER through its national networks, youth advocates and agents of change will work towards promotion of gender equality according to the 2030 Development Agenda and in particular through its 10 Days of Activism Advocacy Campaign and all advocacy efforts will fight for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all young women and girls aiming to prevent any form of violence against them, building opportunities for their future development and leadership.”

Academic Institutions

National University of Ireland, Galway

 “As an academic institution, we at National University of Ireland, Galway commit to undertake research to contribute evidence of economic and social impacts of VAWG, establish VAWG as a core development issue, and highlight the centrality of addressing VAWG the achievement of the SDGs.” National University of Ireland, Galway

The United Nations

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

“Addressing ending violence against women and girls both safeguards individual rights and strengthens societies. UNICEF is committed recommits to working with our partners in government, civil society and communities, across every sectors and in both humanitarian and development contexts, to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Together, we can protect the lives and futures of children and adolescents and entire generation.”

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

“To prevent and end gender-based violence, UNDP pledges to work with partners in more than 50 countries to support laws, policies, research and data collection; strengthen judicial and police response; provide multi-sectoral services; raise media and public awareness to combat gender stereotypes; and partner with women’s organizations, men and boys.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

“UNFPA maintains its strong commitment to end violence against women and girls through mitigation, prevention and response actions in all programmes; we pledge to strengthen efforts to coordinate, advocate and mobilize resources to ensure that action is universal, systematic, and leaves no one behind in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Agenda 2030.”

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

“UNODC will continue to support Member States in ending violence against women. We promote evidence-based, gender-sensitive criminal laws, policies and responses by police, legal aid providers, prosecutors, judges and other criminal justice officials. We commit to enhance essential police and justice services to address gender-based violence and prevent gender-related killing.”

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHSCR)

“UNHCR commits to supporting the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 5 through effective delivery of protection and meaningful participation of refugee, internally displaced and stateless women, girls, men and boys, including through developing transformative programming to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and to ending all forms of violence against women and girls.” – Division of International Protection, UNHCR

UN Women, West and Central Africa Regional Office

“We embrace the duty to convince men and boys, women and girls that gender equality is about non-violent social norms, roles, about opportunities, about power to prevent, fight and stand against all forms of violence inflicted to women and girls, about making this world a safer, better place to live.”