Migiro to speak on UN efforts to end violence against women during Norway visit

Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro will speak on the work of the United Nations to end violence against women and girls when she addresses European justice ministers at a conference in Norway next week, the world body announced today.

Ms. Migiro has been invited to address the Council of Europe’s Conference for Ministers of Justice, to be held in Tromso in northern Norway, which this year is focusing on ‘Breaking the Silence of Domestic Violence.’

“She will speak on the work of the United Nations to end violence against women and girls, and will in particular highlight the Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign, which calls on world leaders to spur action through national campaigns and to achieve five key outcomes by 2015,” UN Spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters in New York.

During the 15 to 19 June visit, the Deputy Secretary-General will also travel to Oslo, where she will meet with ministers and officials from the Norwegian Government.

Discussions are expected to focus on issues related to progress on the eight globally agreed anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the global economic crisis, the climate change summit later this year in Copenhagen and gender equality issues.

Ms. Migiro will also participate in a roundtable event with representatives from civil society and academia, Ms. Montas added.