#OrangeTheWorld: Italy joins UN campaign; Massari: “End Violence against Women Now”

NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 25 “Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to the achievement of equality, development and peace, as well as to the fulfillment of the rights of women and girls. More than one in three women experiences gender-based violence in their lifetime, while sexual violence in conflict has re-emerged in all its atrocity due to the war in Ukraine and the worsening of conflicts around the world. 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 sort.”  This message was conveyed by the Italian Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Maurizio Massari, in a short video posted on Twitter on the occasion of the UN’s #OrangeTheWorld campaign.

“The time has come to put an end to one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violation in the world today, which remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame that surround it,” said Massari, proclaiming that “women’s empowerment, the achievement of gender equality and the fight against violence and discrimination are the cornerstones of Italy’s action at both national and international levels.”

For this reason, the Ambassador explained, Italy has increased its overall financial support to UN Women, UNICEF and UNFPA programs to combat female genital mutilation and forced early marriage, just to name a few of its priorities at the multilateral level.

“As of January 2023, I will assume the vice chairmanship of the UN Women Board of Directors. I will honor my commitment by strengthening multilateral action and encouraging initiatives involving all stakeholders,” Massari said, joining “with pride and conviction” the “Color the World Orange: Eliminate Violence Against Women Now” campaign, “to raise awareness of a few but imperative goals: preventing all forms of violence, listening to victims and changing discriminatory social norms to promote gender equality”.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign that begins on Nov. 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day. Led by civil society, the campaign is supported by the United Nations through the Secretary-General’s UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women initiative. “Today and every day, “UNiTE!” and we stand by all women and girls. We will continue to fight for their right to a safe and fulfilled life,” the Italian Ambassador concluded his video-message. (@OnuItalia)