UN Women seeks steps to end violence against women

Taking note of the sentencing of the four persons found guilty in the Delhi gangrape case, UN Women today sought speedy justice for survivors of violence, especially for those who belong to the weaker sections of society.
It emphasised on the need for stronger action in such cases saying that violence against women was a human rights issue.
Four convicts in the December 16 gangrape-cum-murder case were today awarded the death penalty by a Delhi court which said the gravity of the offence cannot be tolerated.
"Violence against women is not a women's issue but a human rights issue. UN Women joins the government and people of India in recognising the need for stronger action to change the present reality.

"Every girl and woman has the right to a life free from violence," Rebecca Reichmann Tavares, Representative of the UN Women's Office for India, said in a statement.
UN Women works with the youth to champion positive role models for young men in order to end violence against women.

"While UN does not support capital punishment, perpetrators of crimes against women must be brought to justice. Evidence from across the world suggests that higher conviction rates serve as deterrents against violence.
"We therefore call on the government of India to do everything in its power to ensure speedy justice for survivors of violence, especially those from marginalised communities," the statement added.

UN Women supports community mobilisation and school and sports-based programmes to engage with people who influence culture to ensure that violence against women becomes unacceptable.