News
UN Trust Fund Alert: Drastic Shortfall in Resources Threatens Women’s Safety
Date: 21 July 2009
Dear Friend,
When her husband beat her, he would do it with whatever he could lay his hands on. If she tried to run away, he would come after her and throw stones and knives. When he caught her, he would brutally beat her in front of everyone. She married him at the age of 13, on the advice of her grandmother, in the hope of escaping the relentless abuse inflicted by her father and step-mother, only to be abused again — this time by her husband.
The story of this woman from Bhutan is not unique: 1 to 6 in every 10 women experience physical and/or sexual violence by men at some point in their lifetime, most often perpetrated by husbands and intimate partners. For some women, the abuse ends in death.
Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic of alarming proportions. It happens in every country in the world, cutting across boundaries of age, race, culture or wealth. It takes place in the home, on the streets, in schools, the workplace, in farm fields, refugee camps and in times of war and conflict.
And in times of uncertainty, such as the current global financial crisis, women and girls are at greatest risk of abuse, violence and exploitation.
Women and girls at risk urgently need your support
The United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) is a leading global source of support for country and local-level action to end violence against women and girls established by the General Assembly. It relies on voluntary contributions from governments, the private sector and concerned individuals. Since its founding in 1996, it has helped many women and communities around the world work towards eliminating the scourge of pervasive violence.
Due to the global economic and financial crisis, the UN Trust Fund is facing a dramatic shortfall in donor contributions. This year, the Fund has received more than 1600 proposals from all over the world. But there’s only US$9 million available. Not even half of the US$22 million granted last year.
Please help us raise another US$18 million
Violence against women and girls is an emergency. In order to maintain vital support, we need an urgent infusion of funds and your support. Please donate to the UN trust Fund — make sure that women and girls at risk are not forgotten.
