Nicole Kidman backs U.N. campaign

The United Nations women's agency launched a campaign Monday backed by actress Nicole Kidman to gather signatures on an internet petition rejecting violence against women and urging action to stop it. The launch of the petition titled "Say NO to violence against women" is part of a 16-day U.N.-backed campaign to raise awareness about the issue and urge governments to make it a priority. Kidman, a goodwill ambassador for UNIFEM, did not attend the launch at U.N. headquarters but said in a statement she was among the first to sign, calling violence against women "an appalling human rights violation."