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November 25, 2003
Guatemalan woman and children
Worldwide, at least one out of every three women suffers some form of physical violence during her lifetime.
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Horner, Panos Pictures.

Ipas is participating today in several events in Latin America to commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a day for women's and human-rights networks worldwide to stand united against violence. These events underscore Ipas's longstanding dedication to bringing public and policymakers' attention to this important global issue, which continues to escalate despite growing recognition that it violates human rights.

Known by various names in different countries, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women has been observed in Latin America since 1981 and recognized by the United Nations since December 1999. That year, the U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution inviting organizations worldwide to engage actively in raising awareness of the problem of violence against women each year on November 25. The U.N. action was prompted in part by reports that from 10-50% of all women are estimated to have suffered physical violence from their male partners and that 12-25% of women suffer an attempted or completed rape at least once. This pandemic of violence, the resolution notes, impedes women's opportunities to achieve legal, social, political and economic equality.

Ipas staff in Latin America have expressed concern for violence against women in activities across the region this week. On November 22, for example, Ipas Mexico took part in a national event sponsored by the local Mexico City municipal authorities. Several key governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations that work on violence against women gathered in the main square of the historic center of the nation's capital to commemorate the day. At a booth in the plaza, Ipas disseminated information on violence, emergency contraception and abortion. Ipas Mexico Director Dr. Nadine Gasman spoke to a group of more than fifty people convened by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Today, Ipas Central America -- with the Hospital Alemán Nicaraguense and with leadership from the national ob/gyn society -- organized a roundtable for health personnel on the pivotal role of the women's movement in supporting violence-prevention efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, in a formal reception the team publicly recognized five doctors who have demonstrated dedication to improving the lives of women who are victims and survivors of sexual violence.

Also today, Ipas Brazil sponsored a workshop in Porto Velho, Rondônia, as part of the UNFPA funded project "Critical Path for Care of Sexual Violence: A focus on Adolescents." The project, now near completion, assesses services available for adolescent victims of sexual violence to serve as the basis for developing a plan of action to improve these services. Service personnel involved in the assessment participated in this final workshop, whose objectives included reviewing and disseminating the plan of action to improve care, distributing a resource guide of local services that provide care and support for adolescents, and approving a letter of intent and commitment for service administrators for the care of adolescent victims of sexual violence.

Ipas Bolivia coordinated commemorative events with the La Paz Network Against Violence and the Vice-Ministry of Women 's Affairs. On November 24, more than 5,000 women and youth, some carrying banners, participated in a massive march in La Paz. The day was also marked by a moment of silence at noon in the main plaza of the city, in honor of women affected by violence. Various other awareness-raising activities are being held in conjunction with the Action Committee for the Prevention, Detection and Care for Survivors of Sexual Violence and the La Paz Network Against Violence.

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For more information, contact:
Kirsten Sherk
Senior Associate, Media Relations
e-mail: sherkk@ipas.org
phone: 919.960.5612
fax: 919.929.0258