Public Statement by the United Nations System in Uruguay: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Uruguay, November 24, 2023. On the occasion of November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the United Nations system in Uruguay reaffirms its commitment to combating gender-based violence and expresses concern over the high rates of violence against women in Uruguay.

According to the Second Survey on Gender-Based Violence and Generations, 77% of women over the age of 15 report having experienced gender-based violence in some form and at some point in their lives. Official figures show that in Uruguay, there have been 117 reports of domestic violence per day so far in 2023, equating to one report every 12 minutes. In the first 10 months of 2023, there were 13 attempted femicides and 19 femicides, the most extreme form of this violence. According to the latest data from ECLAC, Uruguay had one of the highest femicide rates in the region in 2022: 1.6 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The magnitude of the problem demands urgent efforts from all of society, both in the public and private spheres, to put an end to this form of violence. In this regard, it is crucial to deepen national efforts to implement Law No. 19,580, especially in prevention actions, as recommended by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and to amplify the voices of victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

We reaffirm our commitment to continue collaborating with public institutions and civil society organizations. We trust in the joint efforts of all sectors of society to end violence and discrimination against women. Uruguay's commitment to human rights is the best asset to achieve this.