UNITED NATIONS: Expressing concern over atrocities committed against women and girls in conflict zones as well as domestic abuse reported from across the world, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for collective action to end violence against women.

In a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Mr Ban described crimes against women and girls as “grave threats to progress”. “I am deeply concerned about the plight of women and girls living in conditions of armed conflict, who suffer various forms of violence, sexual assault, sexual slavery and trafficking,” he said.

“Violent extremists are perverting religious teachings to justify the mass subjugation and abuse of women.”

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He stressed that such crimes were not merely random acts of violence or the incidental fallout of war but “rather systematic efforts to deny women’s freedoms”.

“As the world strives to counter and prevent violent extremism, the protection and empowerment of women and girls must be a key consideration.”

Even in areas of peace, violence against women existed in the form of sexual assault, female genital mutilation, early marriage and cyber-violence, which traumatised individuals and tore “the fabric of society”, Mr Ban said.

The UN chief called for increased contributions from the governments to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, citing severe underinvestment in this area.

He recalled that the newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognised the importance of eliminating violence against women, with related targets across several of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2015