Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human rights violations. In some countries, up to 7 out of 10 women are beaten, raped, abused or mutilated in their lives. Less than a thousand days from the deadline set for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, it is essential to commit to fighting this scourge that breaks thousands of lives each year. 

Inauguration of one of the giant billboards on 12 April 2013

The violence prevents women from participating fully in the development of their communities and hinders the attainment of all the Millennium Development Goals. Each year, it costs billions of dollars to the states, in the form of extra health spending and loss of productivity. 

Madagascar violence against women is generally perceived as a "private matter" and shameful, which prevents survivors violence to speak, denounce and bring the case to justice. The Ministry of Population and Social Affairs and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) aim to mobilise attention to violence against women and girls in Madagascar and to initiate action to stop this violence phenomenon. The two partners today launched a national poster campaign to combat Gender-based Violence:

"The participation of everyone is desired and indispensable, victims or witnesses of a case of violence, to go to the “Bureau of Fokontany”, CSBII, Police station, Gendarmerie or Centre of Listening and Legal Advice to dispose of the supports, advice and solutions. We make every effort to follow up the application of the laws in force, to show of assistance and to be helpful. We call on men to participate in the implementation of women's rights and to promote gender equality," said Minister of Population and Social Affairs, Mrs. Olga Ramaroson in her speech.

The one-month campaign takes place in 8 cities of Madagascar including Antananarivo, Mahajanga, Tulear, Antsohihy, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Diego and Toamasina. The campaign aims to break the silence on violence against women and encourage survivors to go to a listening centre or legal clinic for information and/or assistance.

With have the duty to respond to women's expectations. Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and intolerable. We must fight it with all our might. We must support and help these abused, despised and threatened women break the silence, and get out of this sordid situation, " said UNFPA Representative in Madagascar Mrs. Agathe Lawson. It also calls on all human beings who are sensitive to the most basic human rights to join this noble cause because it is all together that we will succeed in overcoming this scourge. In this struggle the role of communities and religious leaders is essential.

The most effective way to end violence against women and girls is to demonstrate a clear and strong political commitment by all the states which are realised, through actions and resources. Already in 1994, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, the countries of the world, including Madagascar, committed themselves to implementing a 20-year action plan, in particular to reduce discrimination and violence towards women. In Madagascar, progress has been made in the care of survivors, but further efforts are needed to prevent violence. In September 2014 the countries of the world will meet again and Madagascar will have to report on its achievements and commitments. In 2011, Madagascar launched the United Nations Secretary-General's UNiTE campaign to end violence against women, Mr. Ban Ki-moonen in partnership with the United Nations System (UNS). Currently, the government and its partners, of which the SNU is conducting a national survey on the follow-up of the Millennium Development Goals in 19,000 households. For the first time, the survey will collect data on Gender-based Violence. This will make it possible to better target actions to eliminate violence against women and girls in Madagascar.

Together we must commit ourselves to fight and eliminate violence against women and girls!