IIMSAM Official Observed International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women

Online, November 24, 2010 (Newswire.com) - On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, IIMSAM Middle East Office joins women's groups and individuals campaigning worldwide and calls for full implementation of the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. While commemorating International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Dr. Naseer Homoud, Goodwill Ambassador and Director of Middle East office for the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM), the Permanent Observer to the United Nations Economic and Social Council said "men have a crucial role to play in stopping violence against women and they will gain from doing so. We need to have the courage to speak out. Violence against women is not only a violation of their human right to be safe from abuse; it also has enormous economic and social costs and adverse impact on the society at large". He further added "violence against women, including domestic violence, is a serious affront to human dignity. We must acknowledge that it concerns us all, and all of us must take action to put an end to it".

The Goodwill Ambassador described violence against women as a violation of human rights and "a nightmare that compromises development". He said the problem not only exacts an enormous public health toll but also impedes social and economic development by preventing victims from contributing fully to their communities and societies. "The physical, mental, and social consequences of this problem are enormous," he said. He said that the world cannot achieve the Millennium Development Goals that we talk so much about if women are not allowed the opportunity to grow into what they might become. "The third Millennium Development Goal-achieving equality between men and women-is crucial to all the other goals," said Dr. Homoud. "Only with gender equality can a woman be in a position to choose style of her life, be free to decide her course of action, be free to protect her own health, and be free to direct her own life", he urged.

While calling support for IIMSAM which has undertaken task of eradicating hunger and malnutrition through usage of Spirulina under visionary leadership of His Excellency Ambassador Remigio M. Maradona, Secretary- General of the IIMSAM, Dr. Homoud said "supply of basic amenities like food to children and women who are hunger ridden are one of the key factors which can be very instrumental in fighting the crimes against women and children as well, and we call upon the governments and stakeholders to support IIMSAM for several larger interests of the world community, which can only be achieved if hunger and malnutrition are eradicated from this world".