Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic that destroys lives, fractures communities and holds back development, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said as the world body marked the International Day to End Violence Against Women. “But violence against women and girls does not emerge from nowhere. It is simply the most extreme example of the political, financial, social and economic oppression of women and girls worldwide,” Mr. Ban said at an Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) event at Headquarters.

Joining Mr. Ban at the panel discussion were UN Women Executive-Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka; First Lady of New York, Chirlane McCray, and actor Teri Hatcher, among others. This year’s theme of Orange Your Neighbourhood promises grassroots action to raise awareness in local communities. For example, the UN Secretariat building and the Empire State Building were lit orange last night, and many wore orange today to show support and solidarity in ending the scourge that affects one in three women worldwide.

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