Message of the Secretary-General for 2011: Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe.  It includes rape, domestic violence, harassment at work, abuse in school, female genital mutilation and sexual violence in armed conflicts.  It is predominantly inflicted by men.  Whether in developing or developed countries, the pervasiveness of this violence should shock us all.  Violence – and in many cases the mere threat of it – is one of the most significant barriers to women’s full equality.

The right of women and girls to live free of violence is inalienable and fundamental.  It is enshrined in international human rights and humanitarian law.  And it lies at the heart of my