Spokeswomen against violence and injury

16 Mrs Suzanne Mubarak, First Lady of Egypt: 0 ne of the tragedies of modem-day society is the extent to which we are confronted with violence. Violence exists throughout the world and takes many forms, but one of the most shocking and insidious forms of violence is that which affects girls and women. Violence against women must be seen in its broadest sense. Violence not only refers to the physical and mental abuse to which women are subjected. It also refers to the hidden violence that women face when they are discriminated against or denied basic human rights such as education, food, medical care, and a safe environment in which to live. Violence affects women throughout their entire life span from the in utero period right through to old age. In some instances, the capacity to determine the sex of a child before it is born has been used to prevent the birth of girl children. In other cases, girls have been subjected to differential feeding practices which may affect their physical and mental well-being for the rest of their lives. Discriminatory practices in childrearing, such as keeping girl children away from school to work in the home, can be seen as a form of violence which may be detrimental to the girls' own health and that of their future children. Within the family structure many women across societies suffer various types of abuse at the hands of their World Health • 46th Year, No. l, Jonuory-Februory 1993 partners. Elderly women, too, are often the victims of mental and physical abuse within the confines of their family, or through the neglect and disinterest shown to them by society as a whole. When a woman works outside her home she may encounter different forms of violence, from the lack of security on the streets to the overt or hidden violence and discrimination she faces in her place of work. Too often women are afraid to speak out against violence or abuse in the workplace for fear of losing their position. These are but a few examples of the daily violence women and girls experience, and which result from the status they are accorded in society. All forms of violence against women represent an abuse of human rights. ' Spokeswomer violence and i1 Mrs Suzonne Mubarok , First Lady of Egypt. World Health • 46th Year, No. 1, Jonuory-februory 1993 We must not allow these violations of human rights to go unrecognized and unchallenged. We must open our eyes to all forms of violence against women and combat them on all fronts: behind the doors of family homes; in the community; on the streets of our villages and towns; at work and in the political and economic institutions that govern our societies. Let us use the occasion of World Health Day 1993 to speak out strongly against this abuse of human rights and take strong measures to put an end to all forms of violence against women . • aga1nst • 1ury 17 Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales: N obody who visits a hospital that cares for injured children can fail to be convinced of our responsibility to protect them from harm. All too often it is adults' negligence or carelessness which contributes to children being injured, permanently disabled or even killed. Wherever in the world they are, as they learn about their surroundings and discover the joy of playing together, children depend upon adults for their safety. Much can be done to reduce the risks they face. As Patron of the Child Accident Prevention Trust of England and Wales, I am greatly encouraged by the World Health Organization's decision to highlight accident prevention on World Health Day. Diana, December 1992