Sherwin Bryce-Pease, New York

The Secretary-General of the United Nations has launched a Network of Men Leaders to stop violence against women. Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon introduced his network which includes Heads of Government, Cabinet Ministers, NGO leaders and South Africa's Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

It is part of the UN's UNITE to End Violence against Women Campaign. With a ghastly reality that millions of women face daily, the UN is calling on men in high places to use their clout. "As I launch this Network, I call on men and boys everywhere to join us in breaking the silence. When you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back, act and advocate," says Ban. Meanwhile, Tutu says, "A society that permits violence against women is a society on the way out. Violence against women cannot be tolerated in any form or context in any circumstance, by any religious, political leader or by any government."

The UN wants men everywhere to make an unambiguous commitment to end violence against women and to speak up when they witness violations by adding their voices to the global chorus for change.