Largest Contribution in 10-Year History of the Trust Fund
United Nations - New York - The Government of Spain will give Euro 3 million ($3.9 million) to the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today in Madrid by Leire Pajin Iraola, Secretary of State for International Cooperation of the Government of Spain and Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM. It is the largest contribution ever made to the UNIFEM-managed Trust Fund since its establishment through the UN General Assembly in 1996.
Noeleen Heyzer commended Spain on its leadership "not only at the national level, but also within the European Union and globally. Today, Spain is using the multilateral system to assist countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, making gender equality central to this work and becoming the largest donor to the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. Through this substantial contribution, the vital work of Trust Fund grantees will continue and expand." During the 10 years of its existence, the UN Trust Fund has granted a total of some $13 million to more than 230 initiatives in over 100 countries. Demand far outstrips available funds: although the Trust Fund's resources have increased fourfold since 2004, amounting to $3.5 million in grants in 2006, requests amount to over $100 million each year.
"Spain is aware that, as one of the main economies of the world, it cannot continue overlooking its contributions to international organizations", said Secretary of State Leire Pajin at the signing ceremony. "Therefore our short-term objective has become to be among the main donors to main organizations. This is a responsibility and an ethical obligation to women globally."
The Trust Fund supports innovative initiatives
in developing countries that aim to break new ground, create new models
and mobilize new constituencies in the growing movement to eliminate violence
against women in all its manifestations. Grantees have worked to prevent
human trafficking in the Ukraine, put a spotlight on so-called honour killings
of Palestinian women and supported female ex-combatants in Rwanda in learning
ways to manage trauma. Around the world, the Trust Fund has helped to provide
training to judges and law enforcement personnel to ensure a more vigorous
response to this widespread human rights violation. Since 2005, grants
have specifically been awarded to organizations that support the implementation
of laws and to initiatives that raise awareness on the nexus between violence
against women and HIV/AIDS.
Contributions come from a diverse group
of governments, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and
individuals. Besides the Government of Spain, recent donors include: the
Governments of Austria, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia,
Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, USA; UNIFEM National Committees; NGOs such
as Zonta International; and the private sector: Johnson & Johnson,
Macy's, Omega, TAG Heuer.
For more information on the Trust Fund, see http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/violence_against_women/trust_fund.php
UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies to foster women's empowerment and gender equality. Placing the advancement of women's human rights at the centre of all of its efforts, UNIFEM focuses its activities on reducing feminized poverty; ending violence against women; reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls; and achieving gender equality in democratic governance in times of peace as well as war. In 2006, UNIFEM is commemorating its 30th anniversary. For more information, visit www.unifem.org. UNIFEM, 304 East 45th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Tel: +1 212-906-6400. Fax: +1 212-906-6705.
Media Inquiries
Nanette Braun, Communications Specialist
UNIFEM Headquarters
+1 212-906-6829, nanette.braun[at]unifem.org