UN Warns of Rising Violence Against Women, Declares Global Emergency
UN Warns of Rising Violence Against Women, Declares Global Emergency
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The United Nations has raised the alarm over a worrying rise in violence against women worldwide, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights describing gender-based violence as a global emergency requiring urgent action at both international and national levels.
The warning was issued during a speech to the UN Human Rights Council on Friday, February 27. The High Commissioner denounced what he described as “social systems that silence women and girls while allowing powerful men to evade accountability,” noting a sharp increase in femicides and sexual abuses globally.
The statement highlighted several high-profile cases that have sparked international debate, including the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which revealed systemic sexual exploitation of women and girls, as well as the French case of Gisèle Bélikot, which reignited discussions on sexual violence and the need to hold perpetrators accountable.
The UN official emphasized that intentional killings of women because of their gender, rape, and forms of domestic and institutional violence are stark indicators of failures in legal and social systems to provide adequate protection. He urged countries to strengthen legislation, ensure judicial independence, and provide effective mechanisms to support victims.
Addressing the situation in Afghanistan, the High Commissioner described the restrictions imposed on women there as amounting to a gender-based apartheid system, highlighting the denial of access to education, work, and public participation—a significant rollback of women’s rights.
The UN call stressed the need for comprehensive policies to tackle the root causes of violence against women, including community awareness, women’s economic empowerment, and access to justice. Protecting women’s rights, the High Commissioner asserted, is not a niche issue but a cornerstone of justice and sustainable development worldwide.
