Violence against women

Nov. 25 is marked by the United Nations as one of the UN observances in its calendar of events. It is the international day for the elimination of violence against women.

To observe the event, the United Nations issued the Declaration of the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The world has identified violence against women in its various forms as a clear violation of women's rights.

Furthermore, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which was adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, has been ratified by 169 countries. By accepting the Convention, states commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women.

In many societies, women and girls are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture. And among societies in conflict or crisis, women and children are particularly likely to suffer. Although entire communities bear the consequence of armed conflict, women and girls are especially affected because of their status in their society and their sex.

Violence against women is now illegal almost everywhere, but unfortunately incidents of the kind are still increasing. In Indonesia, all forms of violence against women, such as rapes, robberies, etc., exist everywhere.

Observing the existing pitiful condition of women, it is the task of all parts of the community to combat all forms of violence against women. By respecting women's presence and realizing their important roles in building society, harming them might be sinful. Remember, all of us came to this world by the benevolence of women.

Celebrating this international day must be followed not only by formulating steps ahead in combating all forms of violence against women but also by monitoring the progress made.

LYNDA SOETITO, Jakarta