Actress Teri Hatcher Cries During U.N. Address

First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, left, consoles Actress Teri Hatcher, during her address to the audience during the United Nations Official Commemoration of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women, on Tuesday November 25, 2014, at UN Headquarters, in New York City. Photo: Hayden Roger Celestin

By Hayden Roger Celestin

News Americas, UNITED NATIONS, NY, Weds. Nov. 26, 2014: Hollywood Actress Teri Hatcher had to consoled by the First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, after she broke down speaking at the U.N. Tuesday about the sexual abuse suffered at the hands of her uncle when she was 7.

The ‘Desperate House Wife’ star during her address to the audience at the United Nations Official Commemoration of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women at UN Headquarters, in New York City said she was ‘convinced it was her fault’ and didn’t speak about it for a while.

Now, she said she is keen on spreading the word against violence and the importance of breaking silence.

‘Until violence against women is not a part of any woman’s story, silence will not be a part of mine,’ Hatcher, now 49, said in  her speech.
The panel discussion also included UN Women Executive-Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and First Lady of New York, Chirlane McCray among others.

United Nations Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon for his part said violence against women and girls is a global pandemic that destroys lives, fractures communities and holds back development.

The First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, Right, and Ms Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, Executive Director UN Woman, sign the papers, during the United Nations Official Commemoration of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women, on Tuesday November 25, 2014, at UN Headquarters, in New York City. Photo: Hayden Roger Celestin

The First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, Left, listens as Actress Teri Hatcher, address the audience during the United Nations Official Commemoration of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women, on Tuesday November 25, 2014, at UN Headquarters, in New York City. Photo: Hayden Roger Celestin

Actress Danai Gurira, reads a poem she wrote at the United Nations Official Commemoration of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women, on Tuesday November 25, 2014, at UN Headquarters, in New York City. Photo: Hayden Roger Celestin

The First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray, Right, and Ms Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, Executive Director UN Woman, celebrate the signing of the papers, during the United Nations Official Commemoration of the International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women, on Tuesday November 25, 2014, at UN Headquarters, in New York City. Photo: Hayden Roger Celestin

UN-Women’s Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka explained that this Day is an opportunity to “shine an orange light” on violence against women that takes place at home, in schools, nations, cities, and villages. She urged for support to confront that “horror” and “extinguish it.”

“This is an important moment as the world is getting ready to gear up to the post-2015 plan of action,” Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka said, highlighting that the issue of fighting violence against women will be high on the future global development agenda.

“No culture, no nation, no woman – old or young – is immune to this human rights violation,” she added.

This year’s theme of ‘Orange Your Neighbourhood’ promises grassroots action to raise awareness in local communities. For example, the UN Secretariat building and the Empire State Building were lit orange last night, and many wore orange today to show support and solidarity in ending the scourge that affects one in three women worldwide.