When on 9 October 2006, Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, launched an in depth study at the General Assembly on all forms of violence against women, it came from the awareness that African women were still suffering violence at all levels of their lives and operations. He declared ‘Break the silence. When you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back. Act.’ (www.enndviolence.un.org). As a follow-up to the above initiative, in 2008 the United Nations Secretary-General launched the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, which constitutes a call ‘on governments, civil societies, women's organizations, young people, the private sector, the media and the entire United Nations system to join forces in addressing the global pandemic of violence against women and girls…’ (‘About UNiTE’ www.endviolence.un.org). Generally, violence against women is one of the most shameful forms of human rights violation. Gender-based violence not only violates human rights, but also hampers productivity, reduces human capital and undermines economic growth. It is estimated that up to 70 per cent of women experience violence in their lifetime. The horrible act occurs everywhere — at home, at work, in the streets and it happens both in peacetime and wartime (‘Violence against Women’ www.makeeverywomancount.org). In cognizance of, and concern about this reality, Ban Ki-moon declares: