Unifem seeks signatures to fight abuse of women

Most women do not dare to denounce their abusers because they are afraid of further violence and being stigmatised, the group said. Its move marked the 2008 Amnesty International report released last week.

From documenting human rights issues in 150 countries and territories, it found violence against women continues to be of concern.

Unifem's figures included cases of domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence and harmful traditional practices.

Amnesty reported that in the Asia-Pacific Region gender-based violence including sexual violence remained an everyday threat for women and girls, as alleged perpetrators escaped justice.

It highlighted the situation of women in countries like China, where cases of domestic violence had "increased 120 per cent", and in Pakistan, where the state failed to prevent and prosecute violence in the home and community, including mutilation, rape and "honour" killings.

The situation for Thai women was not mentioned this year. A local women's group warned that the report did not mean conditions in he Kingdom had improved.

"We often hear about women of ethnic groups in northern and southern provinces, and migrant workers, being sexually abused by Thai officials and their employers," said Usa Lertsrisantad, programme director of Foundation for Women.

"But these women dare not take legal action against their abusers and we have to respect their decision [not to go public]."

Unifem asked for supporters to sign up at http://unifem-eseasia.org/thailand/notoviolence/ to condemn such actions.

It will hand the names to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25.