It’s time to take collective action to end violence against women and girls for good, at every level of society across the world.

That’s the emphatic message delivered by UN chief António Guterres on Wednesday, at an event to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The Secretary-General said every woman and girl had the right to a life free from violence, while more than one in three, are victims of a violent act at some point in their lives.

Matt Wells reports.

Broadway star Emily Bautista delivered a powerful message to open the official commemoration event at UN Headquarters in New York.

UN chief António Guterres along with most in the room, wore a symbolic orange scarf, to support the #orangetheworld campaign, against gender-based violence.

He said women’s rights activists were being targeted at alarming levels, while violence against women politicians was impeding progress on a whole range of human rights issues.

“Horrifying” sexual violence in warzones showed no signs of abating, while there was “increasing evidence” that violence against women and girls was linked to violent extremist ideology and terrorism.

“This violence, the most visible sign of pervasive patriarchy and chauvinism, directly impacts women’s physical and psychological health. It affects whole families, communities and societies. While it continues, we will not achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The recent emergence of reports detailing sexual harassment in the workplace from many organizations and institutions worldwide shows how pervasive this form of sexual violence is.”

The head of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said that achieving the target of ending gender-based violence by 2030, meant “being there” for all women and girls, and leaving no-one out.

This means especially paying attention to the least visible victims and survivors of violence” she added.