OSLO, 9. September 2008: At an event in Oslo on Thuesday, organized jointly by UNIFEM and CARE Norway, the Norwegian government offered its full support to the work on ending violence against women. Minister of International Development Mr. Erik Solheim and Minister for Children and Equality Ms. Anniken Huitfeldt signed on to UNIFEM’s Say NO to Violence against Women campaign on behalf of the government.
In addition, Norwegian members of parliament Ms. Ågot Valle and Mr. Akhtar Chaudry, Norwegian ambassador for gender and equality Mr. Fredrik Arthur, deputy leader of the Socialist Left Party Mr. Audun Lysbakken, Liberal Party member and prominent lawyer Mr. Abid Raja signed on at the event, which was set up with a direct Internet connection to the campaign website with a large screen for everyone present to witness the signings. Also in line to sign were prominent Norwegian singers, actors, photographer and chief editor of Henne magazine Ms. Ellen Arnstad, who also spoke in support of the campaign.
The Say NO campaign event was organized jointly by UNIFEM and CARE Norway. Ms. Marte Gerhardsen, secretary general of CARE Norway, spoke of the importance of joining the campaign and promised 200.000 signatures from Norway before 25 November 2008, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, when all signatures collected worldwide will be presented to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
UNIFEM Executive Director Inés Alberdi said in her speech: – I am delighted that the government of Norway and CARE Norway have organized this joint initiative to join UNIFEM’s Say NO campaign to end violence against women. Together we can bring about the public awareness and social mobilization needed to bring about needed action.
Minister Solheim spoke about the importance of showing political will on the issue of ending all violence against women. He recalled his first meeting with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf after her election, when he asked her what Norway could do to help, – What do you need from us? President Johnson-Sirleaf answered that what was needed was training of police to ensure that women can move around safely and not be afraid of violence and possible rape.
The UNIFEM-organized Say NO to Violence against Women campaign is a global advocacy and awareness raising effort on ending violence against women, designed to support UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon’s multi-year UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign. The UNIFEM initiative aims to demonstrate that there is an ever-growing movement of people who Say NO to violence against women and Say YES to make ending it a top priority for governments everywhere.
Kilde: UNIFEM
