UN Calls for Action Against Violence Towards Women and Girls

The United Nations has called for stronger actions to end violence against women and girls, as articulated by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. Speaking at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York, she warned that violence against women and girls continues to fuel wars and entrench inequality.

Mohammed urged governments to move beyond mere condemnation to decisive action. She highlighted alarming statistics, noting that there are 4,500 verified cases of sexual violence related to conflict expected by 2024, although the actual number is likely much higher due to stigma and fear of reporting.

She pointed to severe crises in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti, where sexual violence against women and children has surged dramatically. Mohammed stressed that women must be included in peace processes and political decision-making, warning that lasting peace cannot be achieved if women and girls remain excluded and unprotected.