AUCKLAND (WILPF Aotearoa / Pacific Media Watch): The local chapter of a global women's organisation has condemned the "dreadful crimes" against women, especially the killings of three migrant women last month in Auckland, New Zealand's largest and most culturally diverse city.
Celine Kearney, president of the Aotearoa section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), called for unity over violence against women.
The statement said:
Our thoughts go out to the families of Farhat Rana Malik, 56, and her daughter Sidra Noor Malik, 18, from Pakistan who died on May 18 and Blessie Gotingco, 56, from the Philippines, killed on the way home from her local bus on May 24.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Aotearoa condemns these violent crimes and stands strong together with other sectors in the community to combat violence.
The tragic deaths of the three women in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most culturally diverse city, are a strong reminder to us all that violence affects everyone in the society.
We all have a responsibility to combat these dreadful crimes.
Violence against women is worldwide. It crosses every social and economic class, every religion, race and ethnicity. Violence against women is a gross violation of their human rights. Not only does violence threaten women's health, their social and economic well-being, it also contributes to poverty.
Abusive behaviour in any form is unacceptable. Violence can only be prevented if communities are involved in defining solutions to it and providing support to the victims. And men must be engaged in the process as agents of change standing alongside women to end violence.
One in three women worldwide will be a victim of violence in her lifetime. WILPF Aotearoa condemns all forms of violence. We must all unite to end violence against women.
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