UNITED NATIONS, New York ­ If it were between countries, it would be called a war. If it were a disease, it would be called an epidemic. If it were an oil spill, it would be called a disaster. This war, or conflict, is violence against women. And it is happening everyday.

And statistics gathered by member states participating in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Women 2000 revealed that the problem is on the rise in both developed and developing countries.

The members of the White Ribbon Campaign, a Canada-based NGO devoted to ending violence against women, discussed their campaign in a forum during the UN General Assembly Special Session on Women 2000.

Their participation is vital because the conference, which is reviewing the gains and obstacles to gender equality and full development of women, has noted that men play a vital role in the quest for gender equality and full development and human rights for women.

Violence against women, or VAW in feminist lexicon, takes on many forms. Sexual harassment in the work place. Abuse of young girls. Beating of the female partner. Rape at home or on a date. Abduction, forced servitude and sexual slavery to women in war torn areas.

Since the 1995 International Conference on Women in Beijing, most countries have made violence against women illegal and a crime. But, noted UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in his opening message during the conference, many women still fall victim to violence.

“When before it was seen as the individual’s problem, today violence against women is seen as everybody’s problem”, said Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

Participants in the forum on ending gender-based violence here have noted the imperative to involve young boys and men in the campaign.

In an inspiring and animated speech, Mufti Ziauddin, a Human Rights Lawyer in Pakistan, pointed out that the blood in his body came from his mother, and with this blood in his body he has the courage and strength to challenge any son of the world who does not respect the rights of women.

“I might be weak in the muscles but my blood is rich in strength and courage,” said Ziauddin. Michael Kaufman, International Director of the White Ribbon Campaign, said inflicting violence makes men “feel powerful,” and at the same time reveals the fear within them. He said the campaign against VAW must take into account these factors that lead men to commit violent acts against women.

Kaufman said the White Ribbon Campaign, which began in 1991, believes that men can and must be a part of the solution to ending violence.

Kaufman said every year, the group urges men and boys to wear a ribbon for one or two weeks, starting on November 25, the International Day for the Eradication of Violence Against Women. He explained that in Canada, their supporters wear ribbons until December 6, Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

“Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone nor remain silent about violence against women,” said Kaufman.

In her presentation, Judy Lawrence, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in New Zealand stressed the costs of family violence. Drawing example from her own country, Lawrence stated that governments are not investing enough for women in their countries.

Lawrence cited the need for more education and counseling if the problem is to be solved. Governments must invest and increase their funding, and families must be encouraged to understand the cost of family violence because “cost to women is cost to the whole country,” she said.

Heyzer stated after women and women’s groups have worked hard to break the silence on the problem of VAW. She echoed Kaufman’s statement that men’s attitudes must first be changed in order to stop VAW.

Norman Tjombe, a lawyer for the Legal Assistance Centre in Namibia, received applause when he said that in the ongoing campaign against VAW, “there is a [surely] light at the end of the tunnel.” (Isis International/Manila- Global Women's Media Team).