At UN, minister warns of rising violence against women

Brazilian Women’s Minister Cida Gonçalves stressed the need to step up the fight against femicide and the various forms of violence against women worldwide. The speech was given during her participation in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), at the New York headquarters of the on Monday (Mar. 10).

Commission meetings at the UN are considered the most important international forum for the formulation of global efforts for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

“We have to move forward on the issue of women’s right to life. Violence against women and femicide have increased in our country, especially sexual violence against women, girls, and adolescents. We need to implement specialized services. We need to guarantee legislation that makes abortion legal, so that women [victims of violence] can have access to services and care,” Minister Gonçalves said.