Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey has delivered a powerful message on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, highlighting the persistent and universal crisis of violence against women, which she deemed “one of humanity’s oldest and least punished crimes.” She emphasized that global regression is putting millions of women and girls at greater risk, urging governments and communities to take immediate action.
Botchwey painted a grim picture of the reality faced by women and girls, stating that fear is so commonplace that it often goes unnoticed. She cited the everyday precautions women take, such as advising a sister to be cautious or urging a daughter to check in when arriving home. This prevalent fear underscores the deeply personal nature of the crisis, which sees one in three women experiencing physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives, with even higher risks for vulnerable groups such as girls, women with disabilities, and minority communities.
The Secretary-General underscored the importance of recognizing that every incident of violence is interconnected and part of a larger system of control, driven not by a lack of data but by a failure to confront and dismantle the structures that perpetuate this violence. She lamented that in spite of the significant commitments made during the Beijing World Conference on Women 30 years ago, societies are witnessing a rollback of rights and a transformation of violence into more insidious forms.
Despite these challenges, Botchwey affirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to gender equality through its new Strategic Plan. She called for action to ensure that gender equality becomes a tangible reality, not merely an aspirational goal. Among the initiatives outlined are reforming discriminatory laws, quantifying the economic costs of violence, supporting women-led businesses, amplifying women’s voices in leadership and climate discussions, and safeguarding their rights to express and mobilize freely.
However, she acknowledged that current efforts are inadequate in light of the increasing backlash against women’s rights. Botchwey called for a renewed global movement strong enough to demand justice and create a safer world for women. She poignantly remarked, “We owe this not only to the women we have lost but to those who survive every single day. No woman is safe until all women are safe.”
This urgent call to action resonates deeply and highlights the need for collective responsibility in addressing and combatting this pervasive issue. The commitment to making meaningful changes reflects a hopeful path forward, encouraging united efforts towards a future where safety and equality prevail for all women.
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