January 11, 10

NEWS / Nicole Kidman helps break ground on UN-backed centre to end violence against women

8 January 2010 – Actress and Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman is set to help break ground today on a new centre located in San Francisco to combat violence against women, part of an initiative between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and Family Violence Prevention Fund.
According to UNIFEM, data suggests that up to 70 per cent of women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime.

“There is no doubt that ending violence against women remains an urgent issue and belongs on centre stage,” says Ms. Kidman, who has served as Goodwill Ambassador for UNIFEM since January 2006.

“Solutions require action and investment, and strong partnerships like the one we’re announcing today between UNIFEM and Family Violence Prevention Fund,” she added. The latter works to prevent violence within the home and in the community and to help those whose lives are devastated by violence.

Among its activities, the new International Centre to End Violence aims to serve as a crossroads where activists and leaders from across the globe meet to share experiences and lessons that advance policies and solutions to end violence against women and children.

“We are proud to be a partner to this path-breaking global centre. It will be a space which will open doors to many whose voices are yet unheard, where practitioners, activists and survivors will share and learn from each other, and contribute to solutions on the ground,” said Inés Alberdi, UNIFEM Executive Director.

Also expected to participate at today’s groundbreaking ceremony in the city’s Presidio National Park are Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; Joe Torre, Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and founder of the Safe at Home Foundation; and Esta Soler, President of Family Violence Prevention Fund.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33439&Cr=violence+against+women&Cr1=