Commonwealth Women Leaders Commit To Ending Domestic, Sexual Violence

The Commonwealth Secretary-General Hon Patricia Scotland KC, has called on women leaders to work together to help eradicate the silent pandemic of domestic and sexual violence.

She made the call at an event organized by visionary women leaders from across the Commonwealth nations who came together in London to commit to safeguarding women, girls from domestic and sexual violence.

“The widespread prevalence of domestic and sexual abuse, which affects one in three women in their lifetimes, and the pernicious impact on survivors, families, communities and economies are a constant reminder that action is urgently required.

For far too long and far too often, we are told it is impossible to end this… But, today, we reject that notion and say NO MORE because together, we can.”

We have invited you, to  examine what we can do together and establish a new commitment,” the Secretary-General said.

“So that we may finally deliver a world in which no woman fears the footsteps behind her, and where no child cowers in the shadows of abuse,” she explained.

Commonwealth first ladies Fatima Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, Fatoumatta Bah-Barrow of The Gambia, and Maryam Mwinyi of Zanzibar, discussed alarming statistics which laid bare the plight of  millions of women and girls who are abused, isolated and even killed in their homes.

During the discussions, speakers outlined specific measures, such as early childhood education to dismantle harmful cultural norms, one-stop centres to offer non-judgemental health, legal and counselling support, campaigns to engage men, and legislation to enshrine equality under the law to help bring an end to the violence.

Commonwealth