Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Saša Jurečko at the UNGA High-level meeting to mark the 25th anniversary of the International day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Mr. President,

Twenty-five years ago the General Assembly declared 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – a critical moment in acknowledging the urgent need to address violence against women and girls.

Since then, we have made significant steps in addressing this violence. Yet, the heartbreaking reality remains: on this very day 140 women and girls around the world will lose their lives at the hands of their partner or close relative. By the end of this week, this number will rise to nearly a thousand. These statistics are not just numbers – they are lives stolen, futures erased and families broken. They remind us that for many women and girls home is not a place of safety.

Femicide is the most extreme but far from the only manifestation of the violence against women and girls. We must recognize that the roots of this violence lie deep is misogyny, an ingrained contempt against women and a belief that women and girls can be owned and managed. As long as we allow any doubt that women and girls are equal in dignity and rights to men and boys, systemic gender-based discrimination and violence will persist.

The efforts to eliminate violence require more than laws, though legislation is an essential first step. As long as we allow violence to go unchallenged, hidden from the public eye, and as long as it remains a taboo and something that is not systematically and publicly rejected by political, economic and social leaders and the media, we have not done enough.

Importantly, violence is a societal issue. Every one of us suffers from its economic and social costs. We must therefore recognize men and boys as partners in efforts addressing this violence. We must encourage them to help us contribute to solutions and to be willing to challenge misogynistic or sexist behavior of their peers.

Fight against violence needs our constant attention and focus. Slovenia recently adopted a new strategy for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Violence against Women, which is setting new objectives, measures and key policy actors for the prevention and reduction of cases of domestic violence and violence against women.

In addition, the third National Conference to mark this international day took place earlier today in our capital Ljubljana. The President of Slovenia together with the relevant ministers all took part in the conference, engaging on the effectiveness of victim protection measures against intimate partner violence.

Mr. President,

The fight to eliminate violence against women and girls is a fight against inequality and it’s a fight for humanity. Together, we must rise to this challenge – not just today and for the next 16 days, but every day. 

Thank you.

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