Yesterday marked the first day of a global campaign that aims to tackle an issue which UN Women Cambodia has called “one of the most widespread violations of human rights” in the Kingdom: violence against women.

The UN-affiliated 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence begins every year on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

“Violence against women . . . cuts across all divisions of income, culture and class,” UN Women Cambodia said yesterday. This year, activities in Cambodia will include radio programs, a choreographed dance routine and a public forum that will host a discussion on sexual violence.