Launch of  Safe Delhi for Women Initiative: Creating a Model for Women’s Safety in Cities

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 

New Delhi, 25 November, 2009 (4pm-6pm, Central Park, Connaught Place)

The 25^th November 2009 marked occasion of commemorating the completion of ten years since the General Assembly designated this day as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

On this day Ms. Anne F. Stenhammer, Regional Director of UN WOMEN South Asia Regional Office along with UN WOMEN staff members took part to the launch of the SAFE DELHI FOR WOMEN INITIATIVE, a project supported by UN WOMEN and implemented in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development of Delhi Government, JAGORI and UN Habitat.

Violence against Women and Girls in public places is widespread and usually tolerated as a feature of city life. When women complain, they are often ignored or blamed for the abuse themselves – accused of acting provocatively or being inappropriately dressed.

Safe Delhi Initiative aims to work towards creating a city that is safe and accessible to women and other vulnerable groups. As Ms. Stenhammer, affirmed, ‘We hope that together, we will be able to demonstrate a model to the rest of India, South Asia and to the world making cities a safer place for women and girls’. Indeed UN WOMEN and UN Habitat who have supported similar initiatives in other cities will provide technical and financial support to the process. Several cities across the world (including Seoul, Dar es Salaam, Bogota, Rosario) have created “Safer Cities for Women” programs in order to plan strategic interventions that can address insecurities and problems that women and girls face.

During the launch Dr. Kiran Walia, Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of Delhi, symbolically signed the Press Release for the “Say no to Violence against Women” campaign. This is a global platform for advocacy and action, presented by UN WOMEN as a contribution to advance the objectives of the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign launched in 2008. The campaign calls on governments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire UN system to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls.

Amongst other dignitaries and women’s rights activists the launch also was attended by Mr. HPS Virk (IPS), Deputy Commissioner of Police, Government of Delhi, Mr. Rajiv Kale, Director, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of Delhi.

The events included songs performed by Ms. Vidya Shah, an eminent classical musician in India and by women activists from a survivor’s network. This was followed by a street theatre performance on sexual harassment in public spaces. The ceremony concluded with the symbolic lighting of the torch (hindi. mashal) followed by a suggestive candle light vigil by all participants to make a renewed commitment to eradicating violence and give the opportunity to women and men to come together to take a stand against it.