United Nations, Nov 24 (IANS): UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for annual donations of $100 million to the UN Trust Fund to better finance the UN-led efforts to end violence against women.
Ban made the call at a meeting Wednesday to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is observed annually Nov 25.
On Dec 17, 1999, the UN General Assembly designated Nov. 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Xinhua reported.
The UN has invited governments, international organisations and non-governmental organisations to organise activities to raise public awareness of the problem.
"On this international say, I urge governments and partners around the world to harness the energy, ideas and leadership of young people to help us to end this pandemic. We want people everywhere to speak up. To say 'No' to violence against women and girls," Ban said.
The focus of this year's international say is youth leadership in preventing and ending gender-based violence.
Every year, millions of women and girls worldwide suffer some form of violence, be it domestic violence, rape, genital mutilation, dowry-related killing, trafficking, sexual violence in conflict-related situations, or other manifestations of abuse, the UN said.
"This violence spans the globe. And it is predominantly inflicted by men," Ban said.
Since its operation in 1997, the fund has awarded more than $77 million to 339 projects in 126 countries and territories.