He said the global campaign to end violence against women would continue until 2015 to coincide with the target date for the MDGs.

The MDGs, adopted at the UN General Assembly in September 2000, set specific human development targets by 2015 to tackle the issues of poverty, education, gender equality, health and the environment.

Ban urged the UN Security Council to establish a mechanism dedicated to monitoring violence against women and girls, within the framework of the landmark resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, adopted seven years ago.

"Violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable," the UN chief stressed, adding that he would propose a high-level event in 2010 to review "what we have accomplished, exchange best practices and map out the steps ahead."

(Xinhua News Agency February 26, 2008)