Recent rape incidents in India have caused many to open their eyes and stand up for women’s rights. Equal treatment of women, women’s safety, women’s dignity and the right to their own bodies represent these rights. Educating boys and men about these rights, and that every person is a human being and deserves to be treated with respect, is essential.

Based on country data available, up to 70 per cent of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime. Join the UN in working to end violence against women and girls by supporting Say NO – UNiTE, a social mobilization platform on ending violence against women and girls.

Photo credit: Tash McCarroll, one of the winners of the Freedom from Violence Photo Competition of UN Women India.

A new report out today on children and armed conflict says better protection from attacks on schools & hospitals is needed.  Read more in the full report.  See also a related news story.

Every year, the UN Secretary-General lists those parties to conflict who recruit and use, kill and maim or commit rape and other forms of sexual violence against children in conflict.  This year, the report contains detailed information on violations against children in 22 countries.

Photo: Taken during the visit of Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to Kenya and Somalia. Credit: CAAC Office (via Flickr http://bit.ly/iXbbwq)