All women and girls have the fundamental right to live free of violence. This right is enshrined in international human rights and humanitarian law. And it lies at the heart of my UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Violence against women in all its forms is a human rights violation. It's not something that any culture, religion or tradition propagates.
We are affirming human rights for all women and girls, acknowledging the full range of diversity that exists, and detailing actions to prevent violence.
As a human rights issue, the effort to end violence against women becomes a government's obligation, not just a good idea.
There is no city or country in the world where women and girls live free of the fear of violence. No leader can claim: 'this is not happening in my backyard.'
It is only with the passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 that we have been able to put a dent in violence against women, and women have had a place to go.
As a woman standing up here, we have to fight for the rights of women.
I have come to understand that in order to effectively advance women's rights, we need to galvanize a global women's movement.
I've never seen a world where only men were responsible for the violence, and the women were innocent. They go together. Men and women are a violent mixture.
We like to think of women as peacemakers, not purveyors of violence.
Now, I have always believed that women are not victims; we are agents of change, we are drivers of progress, we are makers of peace - all we need is a fighting chance.