The USA is now part of UN Women’s Global Safe Cities Initiative, an effort that started four years ago in just five countries and has expanded to nearly 20 countries.
The Initiative is “the first-ever
global comparative programme that develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive approaches to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls in public spaces.”
UN Women and the City of New York today signed an agreement to work together in order to enhance the safety and empowerment of women and girls. It is the first such agreement signed between the City and a United Nations entity. As part of the pact, the City will support public education and advocacy efforts organized by UN Women in the context of the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, the visionary roadmap for gender equality adopted by 189 governments in 1995. The City will also join the Safe Cities Global Initiative.
UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Chirlane McCray, the City’s First Lady, signed the Memorandum of Understanding at UN Headquarters during the official UN commemoration of the International Day to End Violence against Women. Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka welcomed New York to a worldwide partnership that includes cities in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Latin America.
“We deeply appreciate the commitment of the City of New York to make the streets and public spaces safe for women and girls,” said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka. “With this agreement, New York City demonstrates its global leadership as a champion of women’s security and gender equality. We look forward to working together in this important partnership.”
