UN calls for gender equality in Asia-Pacific

BANGKOK, November 29 (TNA) - The United Nations has called for countries in Asia and the Pacific to improve and promote gender equality through more state budget support to enable women to have more access to educational, public health, basic infrastructure and other public services. Dr. Miwa Kato, Director of the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, made the call in Bangkok on November 28, marking the Asia-Pacific International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2016, which falls on every November 25. Dr. Kato suggested that people be also inculcated to properly know and understand women rights, while the business sector should employ more women to improve quality of life of women in the region to become a driving force for each country in the region to meet national development in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. According to the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, about one-third of married women in the region have either become victims of domestic violence or sexual harassment, the proportion of which is considered rather high. For married women in the region becoming victims domestic violence alone, the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific acknowledged that the rate is as high as 50-60 per cent, which is above the world average. Besides, a high proportion of state budgets is needed to rehabilitate and compensate the women victims, which negatively affects regional economies. The UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific pointed out that violations of women's rights in the region are due to a traditional social value in which men are considered to have dominant power over women and an inefficient justice system in the region. Meanwhile, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UN-ESCAP) and the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific also jointly organised activities to mark the Asia-Pacific International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2016 at the UN Regional Office in the Thai capital. (TNA)