LONDON, March 8 (UPI) -- The British government has called for an end to violence against women as the world celebrates International Women's Day.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said in a statement Thursday, ahead of a panel discussion on "Women's rights in the age of insecurity," that domestic violence, beating and abuse were responsible for more deaths in the developing world than war, cancer and traffic accidents.
"Rape and forced pregnancy have become weapons of war, and more than 100 million women and girls have been subjected to genital mutilation," Benn said. He added the vulnerable and poorest suffer the most harm in the majority of cases.
Halting all forms of violence against women, he said, would have the "longest and most lasting effect on development. Ending these appalling violations of the human rights of women and girls is fundamental to successful peace and development."
The department which Benn heads promotes action on protecting human rights, gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights and violence against women. Its aim is to bring gender equality into the heart of its development work.
