Yesterday was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, the #MeToo Movement has demonstrated the extreme prevalence and reality of violence against women in our country, and has become one of the most powerful social movements of our time. One in three women have or will have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes, according to the CDC—a heartbreaking number that has remained steady for several years.
The heads of United Nations agencies released a statement calling for direct action: “Our duty is not only to stand in solidarity with them but also to intensify our efforts to find solutions and measures to stop this preventable global scourge with a detrimental impact on women’s and girls’ lives and health.” US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said, “Every woman and girl deserves a life free from violence...Eliminating violence against women and girls requires all of us—governments, the private sector, civil society, and faith-based organisations—to take action”.
