Background

Violence against women and girls is one of the most systematic and widespread human rights violations. It is deeply rooted in unequal gendered social structures rather than caused by individual and random acts; it cuts across age, socio-economic, educational and geographic boundaries; affects all societies; and is a major obstacle to ending gender inequality and discrimination globally. According to UN Women, between 15 and 76 percent of women are targeted for physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.

Violence against women takes many forms. The most universally common forms are domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence (including rape), sexual harassment and emotional/psychological violence. Sexual violence as a tactic of warfare and in the aftermath of emergencies is also common in the countries and areas affected by crisis. Other widespread forms around the globe include: sexual exploitation, sexual trafficking, and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation/cutting, forced and child marriage and the so-called “honour killings”.

No woman or girl in the world is entirely free of the risk of violence and abuse and this is unacceptable.  Violence against women is a human rights issue with tremendous health, social and economic implications.

Violence against women directly puts at risk the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals related to gender equality and the empowerment of women, and it hinders development.

There are international standards and norms and many countries are developing or have developed national action plans. However, the continued prevalence of violence against women and girls demonstrates that this global pandemic of alarming proportions is yet to be tackled with all the necessary political commitment and resources. Violence against women must be prioritized at all levels — it has not yet received the priority required to enable significant change. Leadership and political will are critical. Promoting gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment should be a key objective of every local, national, regional and international policy.

According to the Secretary-General’s 2006 in-depth study on violence against women, the most effective tool to eliminate violence against women is a clear demonstration of political commitment, such as statements by high-level government officials, backed by actions and the assignments of the necessary resources by the State.

In order to raise awareness on VAW and to call for an end to all forms of violence against women and girls, UNRIC is reaching out to everyone with creative ideas, including students, professionals in the field and interested members of the general public to create a print advertisement on ending VAW. The competition will be realized in cooperation with UN Women is part of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign.

The competition provides valuable experience for anyone interested in pursuing an education and/or career in advertising, marketing, graphic design or a related field. It is designed to reward and showcase excellence in creative advertising.

The winners will have their work displayed on the campaign website with possibilities of exhibits in major UN centres and placement in European print media. A jury of graphic design, advertising, photography and gender experts will select a winner.