Nicole Kidman: Say no to violence against women

By Suzannah Ramsdale on Wednesday 26 November 2008

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Marie Claire Celebrity Issues and Campaigns: Nicole Kidman - Say No to Violence against Women

Nicole Kidman has urged more people to join the campaign to put an end to violence against women.

The actress announced on Tuesday that over five million people have already joined the Say NO to Violence Against Women campaign, which the star has been promoting for over a year.

As part of her role as a goodwill ambassador for the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Oscar-winner presented the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, with a large book containing signatures from some of the 5,066,549 people who have joined the campaign.

Mr Ban said one of the main problems is that too many women who suffer abuse are afraid to come forward.

'We do not know the true number of victims but we do know that there are far more crimes than ever get reported, and far fewer lead to arrests,' he said.

'In too many places, rape still carries a stigma that forces women to avoid the courts that should exist to protect them.'

Kidman feels very strongly about the cause and revealed she joined the crusade to give meaning to her life.

'I think in some ways I've always been heading towards wanting to put some meaning into my life and this is probably how I see myself doing it,' she said.

'The reason I chose the subject of women is because I was raised by a mother who was very passionate about having her daughters educated, and wanted her daughters to have an equal opportunity.'

The actress added: 'I was the product of that, and now I'm out there hoping to pass on to the next generation and work in a greater capacity than just as an actress.'

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