Six African countries at the on-going UN Session on the Status of Women in New York have pledged to collaborate with Civil Society Organizations to eradicate gender based violence.The commitment was made in a side event by Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and South Africa at a side attraction event at the on-going 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women under the theme “Elimination and Prevention of all forms of violence against Women and Girls”.The countries also discussed violence against women and pragmatic measures for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Also discussed was the strategic plan for the implementation of the UN Resolution 1325 of the Security Council.It is the first formal and legal document from the United Nations Security Council that required parties in a conflict to respect women’s rights and to support their participation in peace negotiations and in post-conflict reconstruction.Highlighting the commonalities of violence against women across the African region, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, cited harmful traditional practices like widowhood rites, forced marriages, female genital mutilation and child abuse among others.She also urged African Governments to institute security measures to address trafficking of women and girls across the region. “We need stronger collaboration and coordination amongst African Ministers to address these common forms of violence that exist in our region”, she stated.She also urged the ECOWAS to sustain its support for sub-regional countries in addressing fistula and providing skills training for girls.The other country representatives were Ivory Coast’s Minister of Solidarity, Family, Women and Children, Ms. Anne Desiree Ouloto, Gambian Vice President and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Ajaratou Isatou Njie-Saidy, as well as Liberia’s Minister of Social affairs and Advancement of Women and Children, Mrs. Julia Duncan-Cassell and South Africa’s Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disability, Ms. Lulu Xingwana.The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is an annual international gathering where countries agree on frameworks to address critical issues related to gender equality and women’s rights.