The United Nations came to Canada, Thursday, to mark for the first time a global day for the eradication of violence against women.

The UN chose Canada because of an existing program, known as the "white ribbon campaign".

For eight years, men have been encouraged to sign their names on public petitions demanding an end to violence against women.

"I'm very happy to be able to launch this day in Toronto with the White Ribbon Campaign," said Noeleen Heyzer, with the UN Development Fund for Women.

"I feel the partnership of men to end male violence against women is extremely important," she said.

The United Nations estimates that at least 20 per cent of all women around the world have been physically or sexually assaulted by a man.

The White Ribbon campaign was started two years after the massacre of 14 women at a school in Montreal in 1989.

Its organziers hope the UN's support will help spread its message to other countries.