UN Raises Alarm Over High Level Of Violence Against Women; Burglars Gang Rape Old Indian Nun

In an analysis that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon presented on Monday at the UN General Assembly, he raised alarm at the high level of violence suffered by women the world over. The report is timely since the world observed Women’s Day on March 8.

Moon said 35 percent of women worldwide experienced violence in their lifetime. It could be physical, sexual or both. Ten percent of girls below 18 was forced to engage in sex.

The report came amid global concern about rapes, from the women held captive by the Islamic State to sexual assaults in US universities and the outrage in Indian over the bus rape tackled in the BBC documentary that India banned.

On Saturday, another gang rape was committed in India, and the victim this time was a nun in her 70s, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Her age is estimated to be between 70 and 74.

The nun survived the gang rape and is recovering in the hospital but required surgery. Twelve people are the suspects in the attack, but only two have been arrested, said Police Inspector General Anuj Sharma.

The nun is from the Convent of Jesus and Mary School in Ranaghat where the burglars first stole money before entering the convent. Calcutta Archbishop Thomas D’Souza said that surveillance cameras captured the faces of the suspects, reports BBC.

The convent have only three nuns – the victim and the two others and a guard who were tied to chairs.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the gang rape. She vowed that there would be fast and strong response. Indians, meanwhile, protested in the streets, carrying banners that demanded action.

Last week, India banned the broadcast of a BBC documentary about the 2012 gang rape of a student in Delhi that sparked massive protests.

Indian officials insisted that airing the documentary could cause public disorder due to the growing anger by Indians over rapes and the comment of the rapist who blamed the victim for her death because she fought her attacker.

The thieves also desecrated the Catholic chapel by breaking open the tabernacle and stealing the ciborium used during mass.

To contact the writer, email: v.hernandez@ibtimes.com.au