Statement by H.E. Ambassador UMETSU Shigeru, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the High-level meeting to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Thank you, Madam President.
 
As we commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, I would like to discuss how we can accelerate this effort nationally and globally.
 
Today UNODC and UN Women published a new report, entitled “Femicide in 2023 - Global estimates of intimate partner violence/family member femicides.” This report lists several interventions to prevent gender-based violence against women and girls, and I would like to focus on two of these aspects.   
 
First, legal and criminal justice responses. On this point, I would like to share a recent example from Japan of amending related legislation to reinforce our efforts. More than twenty years ago, Japan enacted the Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims, which stipulates protection measures including protection orders for victims of spousal violence, also applying to common-law relationships. Last year, we amended this law to enhance victim protection in several ways. For example, the amended Act has made it possible for courts to issue stay-away orders to protect victims in cases of non-physical acts causing psychological harm, just as in cases of physical attacks.
 
Second, efforts in the area of data collection. On this, I would like to highlight findings from the report that emphasize the gender dimension of homicide. Globally, only 11.8% of male victims of homicide are killed by intimate partners or other family members, meaning the vast majority of male homicides occur outside of the domestic sphere. In contrast, 60.2% of female homicide victims are killed by intimate partners or other family members. To prevent violence against women, including homicide, we need to understand the nature of it through collecting data on various forms of intimate partner violence against women, as outlined as an indicator of SDG 5.2. Many countries already report this statistic nationally.
 
I would like to conclude my statement by stressing the fact that the elimination of violence against women should be achieved through our endeavors to realize a society where human rights and human dignity are respected and protected.

I thank you.