New York, 25 November. UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Italy leads the fight against female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage, one month away from UN Women Vice-Presidency.
“In 2021, nearly one in five women between the ages of 20 and 24 were married before they turned 18. Less than 40 percent of women who experience violence seek help of any kind,” said Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations in his video message on the occasion of the International Day on 25 November.
There were many alarming figures recalled by the Ambassador, who also denounced the scourge of sexual violence in conflicts, which has re-emerged in all its atrocity due to the war in Ukraine and the escalation of conflicts globally.
“The time has come to end one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in the world today, which remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it,” in Amb. Massari’s words.
The statistics are unfortunately even more dramatic when we look at femicide: the Italian Mission to the UN shared the new UN report that speaks of 5 women or girls killed every hour around the world at the hands of a member of their own family.
“This is why we have increased our overall financial support to UN Women, UNICEF and UNFPA,” the Ambassador stressed, referring to the major UN entities committed to women’s, girls ‘and mothers’ rights, through programs including those combatting female genital mutilation and forced and early marriage.
As of January 2023, Italy will assume the Vice-Presidency of the UN Women Board of Directors. “I will honor my commitment by strengthening multilateral action and encouraging initiatives that involve all stakeholders,” the Permanent Representative said.
