Women’s Day 2013: A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women Violence against women is one of the most deadly and widespread violations of women's rights across the world. Globally up to 7 out of 10 women experience some form of physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. Violence against women takes many forms - physical, sexual, economic, psychological - but all of these represent a violation of human dignity and human rights and have lasting consequences both for women themselves and for their communities. “To empower women and ensure equality, we must challenge every form of violence every time it occurs” Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General on International Women’s Day 2013 Violence against women is prevalent in all countries across the globe and cuts across all geographical, cultural, social, ethnic and other barriers. It is rooted in deep seated structures and practices of gender inequality. UNESCO is working in all domains to prevent violence against women, through research into the fundamental social and cultural causes of violence, development of education programmes for preventing violence in and around schools and universities, engaging men in prevention of violence against women, working with the media for gender sensitive reporting and many other activities. Legislation and policies are not sufficient, we need to ensure fundamental changes in gender roles and behaviours . For Further information, please visit Events