"Here is the grim reality, in numbers: A third of all women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, half of women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family, and violence perpetrated against women is as common a cause of death and incapacity for those of reproductive age, as cancer, and a greater cause of ill health than road accidents and malaria combined.
The prevalence of the issue, 'means someone around you. A family member, a co-worker, a friend, or even yourself' has experienced this type of abuse, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message to mark the day.
'Sexual violence against women and girls is rooted in centuries of male domination,' he added, reminding the world that stigma, misconceptions, under-reporting and poor enforcement of laws perpetuate impunity in rape cases.
'All of this must change…now,' the UN chief urged."
